DED launches book on top economic research papers in the UAE

The initiative highlights DED's keenness to make the award a model to be followed all over the UAE and the Arab world.

The book looks at issues of local and national importance, including the problems and prospects of Emiratisation, an analysis of Dubai's e-Government model, FDI inflows to the UAE, the efficiency of UAE financial markets and an analysis of financial service firms. Other subjects covered include the efficiency of high profits in the UAE banks, the UAE rate of inflation, the UAE's stock market, property rights and the future of Dubai's real estate boom and an investigation of the Internet banking in the UAE.

"The Department of Economic Development launched DERA in co-ordination with Zayed University in December in 2004 to provide scientific data that supports the UAE's development. The award strengthens the relation between the government, business, academic sectors and research centres in the UAE," said Khalid Al Kassim, Deputy Director General for Planning and Development at DED.

"We ensured that researchers presented applied research that tackled specific economic issues or made recommendations for new and promising sectors in economic development. We urge ministries, government organisations and departments and the business sector in the UAE to review the researches of the first cycle and try to implement the suggestions offered," added Al Kassim.

"The book will be distributed among the government, business and academic sectors and a list of the concerned organisations will be prepared for following-up and updating on DERA's second cycle and research findings," said Aisha Al Kaabi, DERA team meeting co-ordinator at the DED.

Khalid Al Kassim noted that the award plays an important role in achieving the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. "The Dubai Strategic Plan is focused on sectors like tourism, financial services, transport and construction. Researchers can now focus on these key areas although they have the liberty to choose their subject of study," said Al Kassim.

"We congratulate the researchers who won the awards in the first cycle and express our gratitude to the rest of the participants whose work added value to applied economic research. We believe that the body of knowledge created by economic researchers from all sectors will provide decision-makers with a reliable database that helps sustain the growth of our country," Saeed Rashid Al Suwaidi, Director of Economic Affairs Division at DED.