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My UAE #1: UAE achievements to make you proud

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My UAE #1: UAE achievements to make you proud

Dubai - This proves to show that the country is a major player in how the world moves today.

Published: Fri 2 Dec 2016, 2:16 PM

Updated: Wed 7 Dec 2016, 11:26 AM

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  • Staff Report

In the past 45 years, the UAE has attained an economic boom and welfare for its citizens, and notably consolidated its position as a major global player in economic, social and cultural domains. The UAE economy is open and active, and depends on the diversification of its resources based on several pillars that have catapulted it to the high ranks among countries of the world. Its economy is also based on advanced infrastructure and sustainable knowledge with the development of resources and maintenance of excellent relations with other countries at various levels. Khaleej Times presents a collection of some of the most notable reports which rank the UAE among the global leaders.
#1: Paying Taxes
The UAE is the best place in the world in terms of ease of paying taxes, according to the 'Doing Business 2016' report published by World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. It scored an astounding 99.44 score on the DTF for paying taxes.
#1 Transport infrastructure
Take the bus or riding the Metro? You're in fact enjoying the world's top transport system according to the World Economic Forum. It ranks number 1 in the world followed by Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia
#1 Quality of Roads
Whenever you're driving down Shaikh Zayed Road remember one thing - the UAE is number 1 in the world for Quality of Roads according to the Global Competitiveness Index made by the World Economic Forum. The roads are characterized as extensive and efficient and the UAE is the only GCC country within the top 10.
#1 Global talent competitiveness
The UAE is on the top spot in the MENA region for the number of professionals that are competitive in their selected fields. The INSEAD research proves that the UAE professional industry is made up of world-class talent from all over the world.
More number ones: 5 UAE number ones that'll make you proud
#1 Monthly Wi-Fi average
Another top within the MENA region, UAE users are the most prolific users of Wi-Fi garnering an 80% for Android users ALONE according to the Ericsson Mobility Report. The country is followed by Egypt, Turkey and Lebanon which are all tied at 75%
'Advanced' smartphone adoption
According to the Ericsson Mobility Report for this year, the UAE is categorized as an 'Advanced' country in terms of smartphone adoption in the MENA region. The country shares the top calibre with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia and those in the category are described as rich and urbanized countries with mobile penetration going above 100 percent.
Lifestyle destination for families and entreprenuers
The UAE's commercial capital Dubai is ranked at number 4 and 5 as the best lifestyle destination for families and entrepreneurs based on the 2016 Knight Frank Global Lifestyle Report. It is the only Middle Eastern city in the top 10 of both categories. Other than that, Knight Frank also ranked Dubai as having an 'Outstanding Quality of Life' in the categories of Distance to the Airport, Average cost of a litre of Petrol, Available Leisure Pursuits and Number of International Schools.
#2 Public trust in politicians
The UAE is only second to Singapore when it comes to the public's trust in their politicians and heads of state. For the UAE, this translates to the nation's love for the rulers of every emirate especially the Emirs of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,  Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
#2 Quality of air transport infrastructure
Again being topped by Singapore, the UAE still shines and flies high in the world in terms of air transport quality and infrastructure according to the World Economic Forum. Case in point, Dubai and Abu Dhabi both have stellar airports and they are both expanding the air transport industry with the introduction of Dubai World Central for example.
#2: Security
The UAE ranks No. 2 in the world in the latest report by the World Economic Forum in terms of security being eclipsed by Finland for the top spot. It should be noted that the UAE is the #1 country in the region in terms of security followed by Qatar.
#2 Dealing with construction permits
See those big construction projects taking place at every emirate? They're everywhere right? That is because the UAE is #2 in the world for getting and dealing with construction permits. After all, if the UAE's vision is a city of the future, that vision needs to be built and the Doing Business 2016 report seems to concur.
#2 Social media usage
The Ericsson Mobility Report on the MENA region shows the UAE as #2 when it comes to usage of social media. It shies away by 2% over Saudi Arabia who garnered 48% over the UAE's 46% when a survey was conducted asking the question whether social media is something they think they couldn't live without.
#4 Most visited country
The World Economic Forum hailed the Dubai recently as the fourth most visited country in the world surpassing classic tourists destinations such as Tokyo, Malaysia and even New York City. According to the numbers provided by the World Economic Forum, the UAE netted an amazing 15.27 million international visitors this year - a huge lead behind New York who only gained 12.75 million international visitors.
A city of possibilities: Dubai tops New York in 2016's most visited cities
#4: Getting electricity
Fretting over your electric bill? Lighten up - the UAE is in fact #4 in the world for the ease of getting electricity. Not obvious to you? Check the number of charging stations just peppered throughout the city.
#4 Most 'Instagrammable' hotel
Atlantis the Palm is the fourth hotel in the world that is considered Instagram worthy. Atlantis is joined by 4 other hotels all located in the United States making the hotel the ONLY hotel located outside the United States.
#7 Richest Countries
With a GDP of $67,201 per capita, the UAE ranks highly among the richest countries of the world according to the rankings conducted by Business Insider UK. The country is surpassed this year by Brunei, Singapore and Luxembourg.
#10 Registering property
The UAE rounds up the top 10 of the 2016 Doing Business Report for registering property. This proves to show that the process of owning property here in Dubai under one's name is convenient and can be done in a cinch. So go out there and invest on some property.
#17 Global Competitiveness Index
Once again the UAE proves that it is one of the major players of the world with its innovative structures, fair laws and general care for the safety and welfare of the people. The World Economic Forum's annual report can be broken down into several sectors and there a lot of sectors where the UAE shines.



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