H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has directed the Dubai Industrial Strategy to be implemented expeditiously in order to ensure that Dubai becomes the main axis of the global economy.

Sheikh Hamdan instructed that implementation of the strategy should begin with the advent of 2017.

The statement was made on the heels of the steps initiated to implement the Dubai Industrial Strategy, launched by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

"Enhancing creativity and innovation in industry will be a cornerstone of the Dubai Industrial Strategy. This will be in line with our approach to establish a sustainable economy based on research, development and knowledge. All these components will contribute towards making Dubai an exceptional investment destination. Dubai also has a suitable and reliable infrastructure along with a comprehensive set of legislations," the Crown Prince of Dubai said.

He stressed that all government departments and bodies in charge of implementation of the industrial strategy needed to intensify efforts as part of the framework identified by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. The aim must be to promote team work, encourage positive energy and creative ideas, and expedite efforts to achieve the goals as defined in the strategy. This will serve the cause of sustainable development in the UAE.

Meanwhile, the General Secretariat of Dubai’s Executive Council affirmed that it has already started implementing the leadership’s instructions. It said it has been holding a series of meetings and workshops in co-operation with the concerned parties with the aim of achieving the goals defined in the industrial strategy.

The emphasis will be on promoting industrial co-operation, linking it with educational and research institutions to encourage creativity and innovation.

Also, the focus will be on ensuring an investment environment to attract targeted industries since the industrial strategy is expected to boost Dubai’s GDP by AED165 billion by 2030.

Abdullah Al Shaibani, Secretary General of Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai said that Dubai's Industrial strategy is deemed one of the pillars of achieving Dubai Plan 2021 through innovation to position the emirate as a main hub of the global economy.

"Through this strategy Dubai under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and follow up of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid is proving its capability to be one of most advanced economic and industrial developed hubs around the world," he added.