At 42, UAE desires economy diversity

Speaking at the occasion on Monday, UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Rashed N. Aldhaheri said the country is keen on increasing its economy base but aims at reducing over-dependence on oil despite being one of the largest producers of oil and gas in the world.He compared UAE’s foreign policy of cooperation with neighbours, regional commitment […]

Speaking at the occasion on Monday, UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Rashed N. Aldhaheri said the country is keen on increasing its economy base but aims at reducing over-dependence on oil despite being one of the largest producers of oil and gas in the world.
He compared UAE’s foreign policy of cooperation with neighbours, regional commitment and humanitarian assistance to less endowed nations to that of Nigeria which is yielding positive relationships.
“UAE is considered among the leading countries in the field of developing solar energy plants in which Abu Dhabi and Dubai have been able to make a breakthrough in this technology and are currently distributing the energy to both government and private facilities,” he said.
The envoy also disclosed that his government commissioned the first of its four planned nuclear power plants with the aim of producing up to 40, 000 mega-watts of power starting from the time of its completion by the year 2020.
Aldhaheri also said that his country has continued to strengthen trade and investments with its partners, making education a top priority with high standard international schools attracting students from all over the world.
It has also transformed its health sector with a legislation that all its citizens and expatriates must have health insurance.
The envoy emphasized that the UAE is desirous of maintaining the existing cordial and brotherly relation with Nigeria which he said can be strengthened by honouring the various outstanding bilateral agreements and translating them into concrete deeds.
He thanked Nigeria for supporting the hosting of the Headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi and the success in the winning bid to host the 2020 World Expo in Dubai.
Chief of Protocol of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ambassador Usman Baraya, who represented Nigeria government at the occasion, confirmed successes recorded in many aspects of the UAE economy saying it is a worthy success as an emerging country.