The UAE Cabinet, chaired by Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum congratulated the leaders and the people of the UAE on the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan, saying it is “an opportunity for all of us to spread the spirit of giving, direct our energy to support people in need, and enhance the culture of tolerance.”

Meanwhile, the value of financial aid provided by the UAE’s federal government and local governments totalled Dhs19.2 billion in 2018, reflecting the country’s keenness to support its people and strengthen community cohesion.

The UAE Cabinet held its meeting on Tuesday, at the Presidential Palace and was attended by Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

Sheikh Mohammed said, “Ramadan offers a great opportunity for interaction and tolerance as well as for enhancing the culture of philanthropy. Guided by the Islamic values of peace, tolerance and giving, the Holy Month of Ramadan is the right time we launch global humanitarian initiatives.”

“We have directed both government and private sectors to come up with ideas that support philanthropic work and enhance the value of tolerance, as we mark 2019 as the Year of Tolerance,” the Vice President added.

During the meeting, the Cabinet approved the Federal Law on cooperative societies, which aims to develop and regulate the cooperatives’ sector in the UAE, and to enhance its competitiveness and sustainability.

The law comes to assert the role of cooperative societies in the community and economic development of the county, while enabling best practices in the sector.

The Cabinet also approved the Executive Regulation of the Federal Law on petrochemicals, which explains the rules and procedures needed for safe processing and transportation to protect individuals, environment and public and private property concerned. The regulations also highlight the necessity for raising the awareness of petrochemicals companies and the importance of building federal databases of companies operating in the field.

The UAE Cabinet also backed the restructuring of the board of directors of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, adding a new member representing the Ministry of Justice.

It reviewed the recommendations raised by the Federal National Council (FNC), concerning the polices of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and the Ministry of Interior.

In international relations, the Cabinet adopted and ratified a number of international agreements, including the ratification of a trade and visa agreement between the UAE and the Government of Colombia, agreements with the cabinet of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kiribati on air transport services, as well as an agreement with Serbia on legal and judicial matters.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Finance, this aid accounted for five percent of the government’s total financial expenditure in 2018, which amounted to Dhs389.3 billion.

Along with cash, the aid also included social aid, subsidies, financial support for partner organisations, and services for vulnerable community segments, such as people of determination, the elderly and families.

The UAE Vision 2021 includes indexes related to social cohesion, based on the principles and values of national identity and social cooperation among the entire community. The national agenda also aims to maintain a cohesive community and preserve the UAE’s culture, heritage and traditions.

Data from the ministry highlights the fact that the aid provided by federal and local governments in 2018 increased by Dhs3.2 billion in the first quarter of that year, rising to Dhs7.55 billion by the second quarter.

During the third quarter of 2018, the value of aid amounted to Dhs3.1 billion, reaching Dhs5.32 billion by the end of the year.

The United Arab Emirates last week announced it would deposit $250 million in Sudan’s central bank as part of a support package for the country following the overthrow of longtime leader Omar Al Bashir.

The government-owned Abu Dhabi Fund for Development signed an agreement with the Sudanese central bank “confirming the deposit.”

WAM