UAE president pledges more prosperity for citizens

On the occasion of the upcoming national day of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Dec. 2, the Gulf state's President Sheikh Khalifa Al-Nahyan said on Saturday the UAE has risen to the leading state in the Middle East in terms of prosperity, innovation and humanitarian aid.
According to President's statement published by UAE state news agency WAM, the Gulf Arab state, a major oil supplier, has risen to a prestigious position among the world's most modern countries due to the outstanding achievements and the government would continue to work to increase wealth and prosperity for its citizens.
The UAE has been ranked the 12th most competitive nation in the world, according to the latest Global Competitiveness Report released last September by the World Economic Forum in Davos for the year 2014-2015.
The UAE, consisting of seven sheikhdoms harboring more than 9 million residents of which 90 percent are foreigners, was founded on Dec. 2 1971 after it gained independence from the United Kingdom.
This year's national day also marks the 10th anniversary of President Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan taking over the reins of government.