“This is not the end but only the beginning,” said Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), while addressing the Department’s employees during the recent annual staff gathering. The DED was celebrating winning the ‘Distinguished Government Department’ award for the Dubai Government Excellence Programme (DGEP) 2005, at an event organised at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai.
Congratulating his staff on winning the award, Mr. Alabbar said: “This award should encourage us to put in more effort to further develop the overall performance of the Department.”
The DED honoured former employees with certificates of appreciation in recognition of their effort during their tenure at the Department. Mr. Ali Ibrahim, Deputy Director General for Executive Affairs and Mr. Khalid Al Kassim, Deputy Director General for Planning and Development, DED also presented awards to current employees for their commitment and dedication.
“It is the people who are the very essence of an organization,” said Mr. Alabbar, highlighting the significance of human resource development. “I would like to call upon all directors at the department to pay special interest to their staff and create an environment of personal and professional growth for them, by giving them the opportunity to get specialized training, opportunities for promotion and enabling them to contribute positively to the growth of DED.”
“We need to lay down appropriate performance indicators that enable us to measure our yearly performance against standard benchmarks and international best practices. This will enable us to inculcate a policy of continuous improvement without which our growth would become static,” Alabbar further noted. He also urged employees to participate in international awards and special programs within the department as it would have a positive impact on the work atmosphere.
The gala dinner included several entertainment programmes such as traditional dances, games, poetry recitations and raffle draws. The event was sponsored by Paris Gallery, Abdul Samad Al Qureshi, Cosmetics & Perfumes, Karisma, Ahmad Sidiki & Sons, and Patchi.
The Department of Economic Development (DED) was established in March 1992, with the objective to organise, regulate and boost trade and industry within the Emirate of Dubai. The DED has moulded its mission of building a futuristic establishment, in accordance with the vision of the Government of Dubai and in the light of globalisation and the requirements of a digital economy. One of its key functions is to encourage local and foreign investments in commercial and industrial projects, and create the appropriate environment for investors.
The DED’s other functions comprise a wide range of regulatory activities including the preparation and maintenance of a commercial register and the supervision of all organisations. The DED is responsible for regulating the affairs of commercial agents and brokers and commercial advertising offices, in addition to overseeing and controlling the insurance industry in the Emirate. Examining the participation of the government in the private sector and representing the government in companies where it has a stake, also comes under the purview of the DED.
