Singapore Consul-General discusses public policy implementation at MBRCLD seminar

Organized with the central theme 'Public Policy in The Little Red Dot', the forums focused on the public policy framework of Singapore and were held separately for the participants of the Government Leaders, Young Leaders and Promising Leaders level of Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Leadership Development (MBRPLD), in addition to the participants of UAE Women Leadership Program.

Consul-General Nair's presentations discussed Singapore's strategy in the areas of fiscal, transport, public housing, healthcare and education policies and how all these have positively influenced the country's economic growth, job market and social equity. The guest speaker also tackled the relationship between public policy and free market principles and behavioral economics. The presentations were conducted during the Dubai Policy Watch for Government Leaders and Young Leaders participants; Spectator Forum for the Promising Leaders level; and Al Emaratiya Leadership Forum for UAE Women Leadership Program. Each of the forums also included networking activities and Q&A sessions.

Dileep Nair, said:

"Public policy is a fundamental component in the long-term economic and social development of Dubai. I believe that organizing these forums is a highly informative and intellectually stimulating way to allow participations to better appreciate and understand the process policy making. Moreover, our participation in these forums highlights the continued cooperation between Singapore and Dubai in achieving our common goals and reinforcing bilateral relations."

H.E. Adel Al Shared, Executive Director of MBRCLD said, "Consul-General Nair has more than 35 years of senior-level management experience in the government and private sectors as well as in the United Nations, and has been responsible for the implementation of a number of key public policies in Singapore. His expertise and experience have been greatly invaluable in preparing the participants for their crucial roles as future leaders and policy makers of our society. The forums have certainly empowered and inspired them to be more actively involved in the socioeconomic growth of Dubai and the UAE."

Khulood Eid Khalfan Al Suwaidi, Assistant Director General of Dubai Medical District for Curative Medicine - Ministry of Health (MOH), and forum participant said, "The forum has helped expand my understanding of the concept of policy making. It was a great opportunity to learn from Singapore's experience in dealing with the challenges of developing public policies that impact the country's growth. While Dubai has achieved much in a short span of time, I believe that we can accomplish more by implementing appropriate policies and regulations as we move forward to the next level of our economic growth agenda. The ideas and the helpful pointers offered by Consul-General Nair will be greatly invaluable in this continuing process."

Consul-General Nair, who holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, has been Singapore's Consul-General in Dubai since August 2005. He previously spent 20 years in the administrative service in Singapore, holding senior-level positions at the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Defense. Consul-General Nair later spent two years as CEO and Managing Director of major banking institutions in Singapore before he served as the Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services at the United Nations (UN) from 2000 to 2005.

MBRCLD has been established in line with the vision and directions of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; who has underscored the critical importance of a highly competent national professional workforce to ensure the country's global sustainability.