The Economic Affairs Division at the Department of Economic Development (DED) has unveiled a book that compiles the top 10 researches presented during the first cycle of the Dubai Economic Research Award (Dera).

A DED spokesman said the initiative highlighted the department’s keenness to make the award a model for the UAE and the Arab world.
The book looks at issues of local and national importance, Emiratisation, e-Government model, FDI inflows to the UAE and the efficiency of UAE financial markets and financial service firms. Other subjects covered include the efficiency of high profits in the UAE banks, the UAE rate of inflation, the UAE’s stock market and property rights, the future of the emirate’s real estate boom and an investigation of Internet banking in the UAE.
Khalid Al Kassim, deputy director general for planning and development at DED, said the department launched Dera in co-ordination with Zayed University in December 2004 to provide scientific data that supported the UAE’s development. The award strengthened the relation between the government, business, academic sectors and research centres in the UAE.
“We ensured that researchers presented applied research that tackled specific economic issues or made recommendations for new and promising sectors in economic development. We urge ministries, government organisations and departments and the business sector in the UAE to review the researches of the first cycle and try to implement the suggestions offered,” said Al Kassim.
The book will be distributed among the government, business and academic sectors and a list of relevant organisations will be prepared for following-up and updating on Dera’s second cycle and research findings,” said Aisha Al Kaabi, Dera team meeting co-ordinator at the DED.
Al Kassim noted that the award played an important role in achieving the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. “The Dubai Strategic Plan is focused on sectors like tourism, financial services, transport and construction. Researchers can now focus on these key areas although they have the liberty to choose their subject of study,” said Al Kassim.
Commenting on the research, Saeed Rashid Al Suwaidi, director of the economic affairs division at DED, said: “We believe that the body of knowledge created by economic researchers from all sectors will provide decision-makers with a reliable database that helps sustain the growth of our country.”