Inayat-ur-Rahman, Deputy Business Editor
The 49th National Day is a glorious occasion that makes everyone living in the UAE feel proud of the country’s achievements. Wesam Lootah, CEO of the Smart Dubai Government Establishment, told Gulf Today that the UAE National Day is a uniquely special occasion for all of us in the UAE to come together, express our loyalty to our country, and look back with pride and gratitude at the momentous journey our nation has led in its 49 years of existence.
Wesam Lootah
“To say the UAE has made great strides since its inception is an understatement. In less than half a century, the UAE has not only joined the club of developed nations, but has also, on various occasions, exceeded all expectations to establish itself as a world leader in various sectors.”
Younus Al Nasser
Younus Al Nasser, Assistant Director General of Smart Dubai, CEO of the Dubai Data Establishment, said: “On this occasion that is near and dear to the heart of every Emirati, we look back on the glorious journey of our Founding Fathers, led by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who unified the Emirati people under one banner, establishing a young country that emerged from the desert to stand tall among the nations of the world, setting an example in development and prosperity.”
Lalu Samuel
Lalu Samuel, Chairman & Managing Director of Kingston Holdings, said: “The UAE is continuously moving from one success to another and jumping from achievements to greater milestones as it forges ahead with its plans towards building a better future.”
Saleh Abdullah Lootah
Saleh Abdullah Lootah, CEO of Lootah Real Estate Development said: “Nearly five decades since its birth, the UAE has set benchmarking innovations that have made the entire world sit down and watch in awe. “From a seed at the formation 49 years ago, it has indeed blossomed into a nation that celebrates advancements beyond imagination.”
Ayman Ashor.
Ayman Ashor, Cluster General Manager, Al Bandar Rotana and Arjaan by Rotana, said: “I would like to greet the UAE leadership on the celebration of UAE’s 49th National Day.” “This is a day of joy and pride, in which we all remember the inspiring journey of the great Nation. The year 2020 was challenging for the hospitality sector but we expect a promising new year due to great initiatives taken by our visionary leaders.”
Rizwan Sajan
Rizwan Sajan Founder and Chairman of Danube Group said: “Happy 49th National Day to one and all. Heartfelt congratulations to our visionary leaders and residents of the UAE. Let’s ‘Unity empower the Strength of our Nation’ as we are one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world with almost 200 different nationalities working together harmoniously.”
Prabhu Ramachandran
Prabhu Ramachandran, Founder & CEO, Facilio, said: “There is a special significance to the UAE National Day this year. After a global crisis, the UAE bounced back more rapidly than much of the world, both in terms of economic activity, as well as health and wellness. As an entrepreneur, I believe the UAE’s startup and business friendly ecosystem played a big role in the nation’s ability to emerge as strong as ever.”
Imran-Farooq.
Imran Farooq, CEO, Samana Group, said: “The UAE National Day is a fresh breather for over 200 nationalities living in the UAE amid the challenging times. We salute the UAE leader who taught us how to be resilient, patient and marching towards a common goal of global peace, harmony, co-existence and prosperity.”
Ali Rao.
Ali Rao, Group CEO, Elixir Group, said: “Today marks the historic unification of the seven Emirates of the UAE.”
“The country has given us abundance, a happy life and a safe haven to our families. We have made it our second-home where Emirati citizens are our brothers who extend open arms to welcome all regardless of their countries and creeds.”
Khurram Shroff
Khurram Shroff, Chairman, IBC Group, stated: As an entrepreneur and a resident, I want to especially congratulate the UAE government, on the occasion of the UAE National Day, for building a future-ready economy that is a model for the region and the world. Progressive regulatory reforms are improving the lives of all residents, including expatriates, helping startups and businesses thrive, a strong commerce infrastructure develop, and a tech and innovation led ethos take root.
Marwan Ahmed Al Ali
Marwan Ahmed Al Ali, Director General of Ajman’s Department of Finance, called for everyone to stay united in line with the vision of the founding fathers, saying: “When we celebrate this important occasion, we evoke the spirit of union that brought together the founding fathers based on their belief that making a bright future for their people starts from uniting efforts and mobilizing energies.”
Sara Musallam
Sara Musallam, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), said: “As we celebrate our 49th National Day, we express our gratitude for the unwavering commitment of our leadership towards an inclusive and world-class education; a vision seeded by our founding fathers."