ABU DHABI: President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who died on Friday, used to be a reserved determine who noticed the United Arab Emirates skyrocket at the world scene. Sheikh Khalifa, who died on the age of 73, succeeded his father, the past due UAE founding president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, as ruler of Abu Dhabi, the most important and wealthiest of the seven-member UAE.

Khalifa bin Zayed took over because the UAE’s 2nd president in November 2004, succeeding his father because the sixteenth ruler of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the most important of the rustic’s seven towns and till 1971 an impartial emirate. Sheikh Khalifa used to be on the helm of the UAE as it all started its world upward push, with service-oriented Dubai rising as a world tourism and industry hub and Abu Dhabi pumping oil as a key OPEC participant. He got here to the rescue of Dubai when it used to be hit by way of the worldwide monetary disaster in 2009, extending a multi-billion-dollar lifeline to the debt-laden emirate.

First elections

In a display of gratitude, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum all at once introduced the sector’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa, can be named after the president. The tower used to be to begin with dubbed Burj Dubai. The chief ushered within the UAE’s first-ever elections in December 2006, when handpicked electoral faculties selected part of the 40 participants of an advisory Federal Nationwide Council. Sheikh Khalifa stated the polling, through which ladies took phase each as electorate and applicants, would culminate in direct elections.

Right through the primary years of his reign, Sheikh Khalifa gave the impression prone to perpetuate his father’s international coverage of non-interference. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed used to be born within the oasis of Al-Ain, his father’s homeland, which didn’t have faculties on the time. He studied the Holy Quran. In 1969, Sheikh Khalifa used to be named crown prince of Abu Dhabi on the age of 21. Two years later, he changed into Abu Dhabi’s high minister. As president, the sheikh used to be commander in leader of the UAE’s defense force and headed Abu Dhabi’s Ideally suited Petroleum Council, which exerts vast powers within the power sector. Like his past due father, Sheikh Khalifa maintained shut hyperlinks with quite a lot of native tribes, frequently internet hosting their leaders in his palace.

Multi-faceted construction

Sheikh Khalifa, who succeeded founding father of UAE Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan on November 4, 2004, took the rustic from the section of basis to empowerment. Right through his 18-year reign, Sheikh Khalifa contributed to growth of competitiveness index of country which changed into the second one biggest financial system within the Arab area. The UAE took massive strides in opposition to achievements, changing into the primary Arab and Islamic nation to succeed in Mars and one in every of only a few to succeed in area. Sheikh Khalifa introduced, in a while after assuming place of business, his first govt technique for a balanced and sustainable construction to succeed in prosperity for electorate.

Sheikh Khalifa, who persevered the legacy of his father Sheikh Zayed for safety and balance, supervised construction of sectors of oil and fuel, and production industries which assorted financial system. The past due President additionally introduced housing, street, tutorial and social initiatives, in addition to proposing an initiative to broaden the legislative authority by way of permitting elections of part of the Federal Nationwide Council. He used to be re-elected as president in 2009 and persevered his contributions to a multi-faceted construction. Sheikh Khalifa used to be named Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in 1969, changed into Top Minister of Abu Dhabi district in July 1971 and named Deputy Commander of UAE Defense force in 1976. – Companies