The role of competitiveness in the promotion of sustainable growth opportunities and creation of prosperity in the world was highlighted in a workshop organized today by the UAE government as part of the UAE Brainstorms for a Better World campaign in the run-up to the Summit of the Global Agenda.

The Summit on the Global Agenda 2014, which will be organized in Dubai from November 9 to 11, will bring together more than 1,000 top thinkers and experts from around the world to discuss global issues and find appropriate and effective solutions.

Discussions in the workshop, titled Positive and Negative Impacts of Competitiveness on Sustainable Development, focused on the importance of partnerships between the public and private sectors, and optimal employment of technology and innovation in achieving high levels of competitiveness. Participants also spoke on the current international dynamics and its impact on the global competitive strategies, as well as the key role of competitiveness in achieving the UAE Vision 2021.

Moderated by H.E. Abdullah Nasser Lootah, General Secretary of Emirates Competitiveness Council, the workshop was participated by representatives from the Prime Minister Office; Emirates Competitiveness Council, Competitiveness Office of Abu Dhabi; Dubai International Financial Centre Courts; Dubai Competitiveness Office; Department of Economic Development in Dubai; Dubai Police; Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development; Al Etihad newspaper; Zayed University, and a number of representatives from the private sector.

Addressing the workshop, H.E. Abdullah Nasser Lootah stressed that during the past five years the UAE has emerged among the top ten nations in the world in terms of competitiveness. In order to maintain the countrys advanced competitiveness levels, it is important to devise new tools in this area, involving the government and private institutions as well as the entire community, H.E. Lootah added.

Participants at the workshop called for new indicators to measure competitiveness based on sustainability, happiness and community satisfaction to pave way for high competitiveness rates in the future. They also identified Innovation as critical to the creation of these standards, especially in areas related to economic development and progress.

Pointing out the significance of strengthening international cooperation between institutions and entities on competitiveness, participants said efforts must be made to share knowledge, expertise and experiences in a way that would benefit all the countries in the world.
The workshop highlighted the importance of educating the community about the objectives of competitiveness and its role in achieving development. It stressed the key role of media in raising awareness in the society as well as the role of the private sector in encouraging competitiveness. Participants also called for measures to ensure transmission of information that can contribute to the achievement of competitiveness.

The workshop further emphasized that the innovative approach to competitiveness will help achieve the UAE Vision 2021 to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world in terms of infrastructure, transportation network, sustainability, and knowledge-based economy, enabling the country to move higher in global competitiveness rankings.