Reformers dominate new UAE Cabinet

Those expecting the new UAE Prime Minister General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to introduce reformers to his first Cabinet and to announce the retirement of the old guard have not been disappointed. But no doubt some observers will be surprised by a few of the changes.

The new Foreign Minister is Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, formerly Minister of Information whose previous ministry is now abolished in favour of independent media authorities - a clear step away from the control of the media previously vested in the authority of the Ministry of Information.

Second lady minister

A second female face also joins Economy Minister Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi who retains her portfolio. Miriam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi is promoted to Minister of Social Affairs after a distinguished record of public service and the labour ministry portfolio divided into two.

There are seven other new Cabinet members: Dr Hanif Hassan becomes Minister of Education and Humaid Mohammad Al Qutami is named Minister of Health; and Dr Mohammad Saeed Al Kindi is Minister of Environment and Water. These are all likely to be key areas of reform in the coming years.

Also joining the Cabinet for the first time are: Dubai Holdings' CEO Mohammed Al Gergawi as Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs; Abdul Rahman Mohammad Al Owais as Minister of a new Ministry of Culture, Youth and Social Development; Mohammed Hussain Al Sha'ali as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; and Dr. Anwar Gargash as Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs.

Dr. Anwar Gargash will have the challenging job of modernizing and overhauling the FNC to broaden the representative nature of this institution. Meanwhile, the new Ministry of Culture, Youth and Social Development will place a new emphasis on the need to cater for a youthful population.

Visionary agenda

Sheikh Mohammed's visionary leadership in Dubai has transformed the local bureaucracy over the past decade into a dynamic red-tape free organization with a leadership in e-government.

Many commentators expect a similar approach to the federal government of the UAE, and certainly the retirement of the old guard and an emphasis on youth and modernizers in the new Cabinet tends to suggest that reform will now be top of the agenda.

This can only enhance the attractiveness of the UAE as a place for business and investment in the Middle East.