Fujairah Ruler H.H. Sheikh Hamad Celebrates 50 Years Of Leadership And Sustainable Development
The 50th anniversary of H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi's leadership in Fujairah is on 18th September 2024. Since taking office, Sheikh Hamad has focused on sustainable growth in various sectors, enhancing the UAE's global reputation. His leadership has been pivotal in shaping Fujairah's development and international presence.
Under Sheikh Hamad's guidance, Fujairah has become a significant economic hub. The emirate's ports are among the largest in the UAE, supporting major projects like ADCOP. In 2023, the Port of Fujairah handled 5,000 containers and produced 4,000 metric tonnes of petroleum products.
Fujairah International Airport has strengthened its role as a gateway for tourism and trade. The emirate capitalises on its natural resources, with quarries supplying materials for infrastructure projects across the Gulf region. In 2023, direct foreign trade imports reached nearly AED2 billion.
Sheikh Hamad has also promoted entrepreneurship among young people, boosting investment in SMEs. This effort led to the issuance and renewal of 21,000 business licences across various sectors. The banking sector expanded with 14 banks now operating in Fujairah.
Cultural development is a priority for Sheikh Hamad, transforming Fujairah into an arts hub. He received the International Theatre Institute Medal for his commitment to culture and humanism. Historical landmarks like Fujairah Fort and Al Bidya Mosque attract tourists and contribute to cultural tourism.
In education, Fujairah hosts several higher education institutions such as the Higher Colleges of Technology and University of Fujairah. The emirate also boasts 67 public and private schools, emphasising education's role in sustainable development.
Healthcare Advancements
The healthcare sector in Fujairah includes three government hospitals and 117 clinics ensuring comprehensive services. According to recent statistics from the Fujairah Statistics Centre, there are 1,211 doctors and nurses employed in the public sector and 868 in the private sector.
Sheikh Hamad launched the Fujairah 2040 Plan focusing on housing, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, water barriers, ports, residential complexes, and expanding healthcare facilities to enhance residents' welfare.
International Engagements
Sheikh Hamad has represented the UAE at numerous global summits over five decades. Notable participations include the UN Millennium Summit in New York and Interfaith Dialogue Conference in New York in 2008. Recently he attended LDC5 in Qatar in 2023.
His Highness participated in key Islamic Summit Conferences such as those held in Dakar (1991) and Tunisia (2004). He also attended Arab summits including Algeria (2005), Doha (2009), Kuwait (2014), Egypt (2015), Nouakchott (2016).
Tourism Boost
The hospitality sector flourished with AED573 million revenue from hotels alone. In 2023, Fujairah had 5,000 hotel rooms across 31 hotels including thirteen five-star establishments contributing significantly to local economy through tourism projects.
The sports sector thrives under Sheikh Hamad’s patronage with clubs like Fujairah International Marine Club hosting international competitions while Martial Arts Club achieves consistent success due to his support for sports development initiatives.
With inputs from WAM
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