Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, has said that the announcement of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, naming 2017 as the official "Year of Giving" presents joyful tidings for the UAE and its people.

Commenting on the Year of Giving, Mr. Al Mansouri said, "It ushers in a new year that is set to establish new milestones in terms of charity, nationalism and volunteerism. It will help reinforce the strong values adopted by the UAE since its initial founding, while at the same time setting its eyes firmly on the future and the infinite potential of the UAE to enhance its position and become one of the world’s leading and most developed nations.

He went on to say, "We are confident that the three main themes, strengthening social responsibility in the private sector, promoting spirit of volunteerism, and strengthening the concept of serving the nation in the new generations, announced by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa will be a strong catalyst for change. With hard work and determination, the public and private sectors and aided by the individuals, can help serve this beloved country and promote the value of social responsibility.

"It will also help encourage private sector organisations to play a greater role in developing and participating in volunteer programmes in order to maximise their contribution to the society and promote the value of nationalism in order to lay a foundation for the future generations of the country."