The UAE and Saudi Arabia share a long history of good relations. The recent fruit of this is a road map for strategic cooperation.
The strategy of resolve is what brings together the will of the two nations. Common determination and a united will made relations stronger. Through strategic development plans and visions, this strength was capitalized on economically to the best interest of the two Gulf countries.
In their last meeting, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the armed forces, and his Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, the leaders of the two countries recently launched the “Strategy of Resolve.”
With an eye on integration, a Saudi-UAE Coordination Council was set as part of an agreement in May 2016. The aim: stronger coordination on issues and topics of mutual interest in all fields.. After many feasibility studies, the Strategy of Resolve saw the light of day, bringing a historic leap in inter-Gulf relations. That said, the next phase of development in both countries calls for great efforts to continue building a competitive economy based on post-oil, diversification economy.
The UAE had always a clear vision about economy. Oil contribution to the national economy fell from 90% during the 1970s to 30% today. By 2021, it is expected to reach 20% and 0% by 2045. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, said that the nation has planned to celebrate the export of the last barrel of oil.
Also pursuing a very ambitious development plan is Saudi Arabia. Vision 2030 is all about diversity, scope and objectives. The plan is to make the Kingdom a major economic power. Objectives will include various fields of development. The vision also shows the desire of the Saudi leadership and people to see a better future in the region.
The economic situation in the two countries predicts that there will be a huge boom in the integration between these two giant economies. The UAE is an emerging economic power in the fields of industry, investment, modern technology, trade, tourism and culture. By the end of 2017, it has achieved a number of achievements, the most important of which is the leading position in more than 50 sub-sectors and sub-indices globally. The UAE is on a high rank among the top 10 countries worldwide in global competitiveness. It has become a regional hub for trade and services, and has become a world-class destination for sustainable business and investment and industry of innovation-based knowledge.
The Kingdom launched the Neom, a futuristic investment mega-project that cross-cuts the field of energy, water, biotechnology, food, technology, digital science, advanced manufacturing and entertainment, through investments estimated at $ 500 billion to build global projects on the Red Sea coast, the route for 10% of the world trade traffic.
The meeting to launch the Strategy of Resolve was filled with enthusiasm about building a better future and faith in the common destiny from both sides.
Aware of present challenges and threats, the two Gulf States laid a framework in order to safeguard their national gains and interests. Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has always believed that a strong Saudi Arabia makes a strong Gulf and Arab region. This was clearly reflected in the role of the Arab Alliance in Yemen, led by Saudi Arabia, with strong Emirati support, to safeguard Arab independence.
The brand new strategy was well explained by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. “The UAE and Saudi Arabia’s common vision for development, economic and military integration, through 44 strategic projects, is a historic opportunity to create an exceptional model in Arab integration – one that can be reproduced to make major leaps in human development. ” The integration process is a new horizon for tremendous development and economic activity, away from war and conflict and instigators of both.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are promoters and protectors in a stable Gulf and Arab world.
