Mohammed bin Rashid launches interactive website

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum today inaugurated ''Ehtmam'', a website launched by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs on the sideline of the Government Summit in Dubai. UAE citizens can log in to the website and submit suggestions and ideas aimed at development of local community and those constructive and feasible one will be implemented to improve government services at par with the highest standards. Sheikh Mohammed along with H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC), H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, attended today the second day of the Summit during H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, addressed a number of national development agenda, enumerated achievements by the Ministerial Council for Services and its future plans to improve performance of federal ministries and bring ministers more closer to people. Sheikh Mansour explained that Ehtimam website for community-drive innovation seeks to consolidate social solidarity and community cohesion through creating creative interactive channels that ensure greater, effective engagement of Emiratis in development and improvement of government services in line with the government vision for introduction of smart applications. The website also aims to establish a data base of experts and specialists to provide them with a window for communication and sharing of expertise. Sheikh Mansour added that the website was launched in consistence with the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan's vision to achieve leadership and excellence in government work and in implementation of Sheikh Mohammed's instructions for moving towards smart government under the UAE Vision 2021. ''The website aims to promote the culture of public participation and interaction and generate creative ideas to extract community initiatives for improving public performance and services together.'' Shiekh Mansour spoke about Absher Initiative, launched by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to increase participation of Emiratis in the private sector. He disclosed that Debt Settlement Fund paid debts of 3500 Emirati defaulters worth about AED 4 billion in 2012-2013. He lauded banks that interacted and cooperated with the initiative. Sheikh Mansour said that the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of the UAE were conducting a legal study on how to introduce effective mechanism to supervise banking activities. The matter needs review and update of some laws and regulations of the banking sector, he added. Sheikh Mansour also highlighted the vital role of Abu Dhabi Development Fund (ADFD) in offering development aid to sisterly and friendly countries with the aim of improving living standards and generating job opportunities. The fund, he added, has so far extended AED 6 billion for development projects and long-term soft loans to Arab and friendly countries. There is a plan to raise the ADFD's capital to AED 16 billion and open the door for funding projects within the UAE.