21 May 2015
Dubai - Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has today organised its annual strategic partners appreciation ceremony to honour its partners. The event recognises the role of DEWA's strategic partners and supports its commitment to strengthen its cooperation and joint work with government and private organisations. DEWA has honoured its partners in 2014 which include a large number of federal and local government organisations, private companies, and the media at Atlantis, The Palm hotel in Dubai.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA welcomed a large number of directors of government and private organisations that were honoured at the ceremony. These included Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners' Affairs in Dubai, HE Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs, HE Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, HE Khalifa Bin Darai, Executive Director of Dubai Corporation of Ambulance Services, Major General Mohammed Khalfan Al Mehairi from the Ministry of Defence, Major General Abdul Rahman Mohammad Rafi, Assistant to the Dubai Police Chief for community service and equipment, HE Abdullah Salem Al Mana, General Manager of Etisalat, HE Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar, Secretary General of the Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai, and many other directors and senior officials from the public and private sectors also attended.

In his keynote speech, Al Tayer welcome the guests and emphasised that DEWA organises this annual event to honour its strategic partners and recognise their role in the achievements that it has made. These achievements have contributed to DEWA's prestigious status locally, regionally, and globally.

"In today's world, it is no longer possible for individual organisations to function in isolation from each other. Collaboration and integration are essential in this stage. The largest global organisations, even those that compete with each other, enter into strategic partnerships to maximise benefits for all parties. One such example that comes to my mind is the alliance between the Japanese car maker Nissan and France's Renault, which is today the fourth largest car manufacturer in the world, producing 10% of all the cars in the world. The two companies save billions of dollars each year as a result of their cooperation in research and development," said Al Tayer.

"Integration and collaboration in Dubai and the UAE are as old as the Union itself. In fact, the union of our nation is a great example of cooperation, integration, and partnership of the highest and purest order. Successful partnerships do not seek to achieve individual successes, but look forward to achieving collective success. The aim for partnerships within the public sector, as well as or public-private partnerships in the UAE, is to achieve the happiness of individuals and society, and promote the position of the UAE and its global competitiveness. This requires the determination to achieve success and teamwork. These principles are advocated by Islam and our Arab traditions, and further encouraged by our wise leadership who spare no effort in developing the nation and achieving the happiness of its citizens, residents, and visitors," he added.

"His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has observed that, "My advice to any leader, whether of a country, a company, a team or anything else, is to unite hearts before uniting efforts, and to feel the spirit before building the place."In Dubai, we work as one team. Government organisations integrate with one another and enter into strategic partnerships with the private sector. This has made Dubai a global role model for successful partnerships that aim to achieve a common objective, which is the development of our beloved nation. These partnerships also aim to achieve the UAE Vision 2021 to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world when we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Union. Our collective efforts also drive the goals of Dubai Plan 2021, to establish Dubai as the preferred place to live, work, and visit," added Al Tayer.

Al Tayer noted that DEWA has achieved excellent results, surpassing leading European and American companies in different areas. For example, losses in power transmission and distribution networks was reduced to 3.26%, compared to 6-7% in Europe and the USA. Water network losses decreased to 9.1%, compared to 15% in North America, achieving global results in reducing water losses. DEWA's results are among the best internationally for customer minutes lost per year. DEWA's figures reached 4.9 minutes, compared to 15 minutes recorded by leading utilities in the European Union. The UAE, represented by DEWA, has being ranked fourth globally and first in the Middle East and North Africa for the second consecutive year for getting electricity as per the World Bank's Doing Business 2015 report.

"DEWA works to build robust relationships and strategic partnerships with local, regional, and international organisations from the public and private sectors, and committed to exchanging information and best practices. We consider partnerships key to achieving success, organisational excellence, and continuous business development. We look forward to building and establishing long-term cooperative relationships with our partners to ensure the prosperity of our business and the business of our partners, and enhance the leading role of Dubai in driving the sustainable development and business growth locally, regionally, and globally. These efforts support our vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility. I wish our partnerships continue and prosper for the benefit of our country and its development, and the happiness of all who live in this land," concluded Al Tayer.

At the end of the ceremony, Al Tayer honoured DEWA's strategic partners, which included federal and local government organisations, private companies and the media. He commended their key role in helping DEWA achieve its strategic objectives and their effective contributions in supporting DEWA's efforts to enhance the sustainable development of Dubai and the UAE.

-Ends-

For more information, please contact:
Ribal Dayekh or Noora Khoory  
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority 
+9714 307 2006 or 515 1784  
ribal.dayekh@dewa.gov.ae   
noora.khoory@dewa.gov.ae   

Mutasem Shadid or Mazen Alebrahem
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 450 7675 or 450 7613
Mutasem.shadid@bm.com
Mazen.Alebrahem@bm.com

© Press Release 2015