The UAE takes full-frontal care of its citizens. This was stated by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his interaction with Emiratis at his majlis in Al Dhaid City, Sharjah.

 The UAE President stressed that the country’s leadership attaches special concern to issues related to citizens and providing them with high living standards as they are the true assets of the nation. Further, they remain the cornerstone of its development and progress, as well as a top priority of its plans and development programmes in the present and future. And that includes taking into account the housing needs of the Emiratis. According to a new policy, housing loans shall be financed through collaboration between the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme (SZHP) and national banks, with the aim of ensuring sustainable funding sources, meeting the current and future housing requirements, and boosting the partnership between the government and private sectors, as well as facilitate the process of financing housing loans for UAE nationals benefiting from the programme.

According to the new Housing Policy, UAE banks shall assume full responsibility for the process of loan funding for Emiratis, where SZHP shall fund the interests resulting from the loans on behalf of the UAE nationals.

The minister commended the directives of the UAE leadership to ensure economic wellbeing and social welfare for UAE nationals.

It is worth noting that more than 86.3 per cent of Emiratis own their own homes, which is one of the highest rates in the world.

Recently, the UAE Cabinet approved a housing loan financing programme worth Dhs11.5 billion, benefiting 13,000 Emirati families.

The UAE also approved a new system to enhance the participation of its national talents in the private sector, setting a minimum Emiratisation percentage of 2 per cent annually from high-skilled jobs in establishments having more than 50 employees.

Even the elderly are not overlooked. The UAE is keen to create the suitable conditions and harness available capacities to provide the appropriate care for senior citizens. This takes into account care during the pandemic.

Nearly two years ago, the “Integrated Social Services System to Improve the Quality of Life of Senior Citizens,” coinciding with the International Day for Older Persons on 1st October, was launched.

The UAE believes in the importance of this key category of the community and is keen for them to enjoy good health and continue giving, as stipulated by national legislation that ensures their rights.

“The FDF is keen to highlight the key role of senior citizens in the community. Therefore, it launched the system to reach out to them in all emirates, to assess their social and psychological needs, offer them social and preventive care, and empower them to achieve their wellbeing, happiness and quality of life,” Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, GWU, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, FDF, Mother of the Nation, said.

These plans show the extent of the UAE leadership’s support to its people, and their dedicated efforts to ensure family stability and better quality of life across the UAE community. Last year, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved the allocation of 4,000 land plots and houses to citizens of Dubai at a cost of Dhs5.2 billion, as part of the first phase of an Emirati housing programme.

His Highness has also raised the limit for interest-free housing loans to Dhs1 million for eligible categories. It all goes to show the care and affection the leadership has for its people. It has pulled out all stops to see that the needs of its citizens are met wholeheartedly.