Dubai: The UAE announced a broad government restructuring on Sunday for more “agile and swift” decision-making following the coronavirus pandemic, merging government entities and appointing new economy and industry ministers.
The head of Abu Dhabi’s national oil company ADNOC, Sultan Al Jaber, was named industry and advanced technology minister and Abdullah Al Marri was appointed economy minister.
The restructuring was announced by UAE Vice-President Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on his official Twitter account.
The energy and infrastructure ministries were merged under a single portfolio to be headed by current energy minister Suhail Al Mazrouei.
An ADNOC spokesperson said Mr Al Jaber would retain his post as ADNOC chief executive.
“The aim ... is a government that can more quickly make decisions and deal with changes and more adeptly seize opportunities in dealing with this new stage in our history; a swift and agile government,” Shaikh Mohammed said.
He gave it a year to achieve priority targets for the country, which is the region’s business, trade and tourism hub.
Changes include abolishing half of government service centres and converting them to digital platforms within two years and merging around half of federal agencies.
The Federal Water and Electricity Authority, Emirates Post, Emirates General Transport Corporation, and Emirates Real Estate Corporation were placed under the Emirates Investment Authority.
The economy ministry got two ministers of state – Ahmed Belhoul for business and small and medium enterprises, and Thani Al Zeyoudi for foreign trade.
Omar Al Olama was named minister of state for digital economy and artificial intelligence.
“The future working environment in medicine, education and trade will change dramatically and we aim to be at the forefront of these changes,” Shaikh Mohammed said.
A woman was named to head the nascent Emirates Space Agency. Sarah Al Amiri is currently leading the UAE’s Hope Probe to Mars, which will launch this month from Japan with the goal of providing a new look at the planet’s climate and atmosphere.
The National Media Council and the Federal Youth Foundation have been merged with the Ministry of Culture to form the Ministry of Culture and Youth.
Noura Al Kaabi will be the new Minister of Culture and Youth, with Shamma Al Mazrouei as Minister of State for Youth.
The UAE’s state news agency WAM has been brought under the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, while a new UAE Government Media Office has been created. The office will report to the Cabinet and oversee both domestic and international media communications for the UAE.