Abu Dhabi, May 10th, 2008 (WAM)--President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was briefed Saturday on the developmental project of Al Sowa Island at his Al Bateen Palace in presence of HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Sheikh Khalifa expressed his satisfaction about the layout of the project, saying that "more efforts should be stepped up to develop the UAE on par with developed countries". He called on competent authorities to provide all comfort measures through building more facilities, resorts, as well as provision of easy transport with observation of the UAE natural environment in order to make the country as a "cultural, commercial, economic and unique tourism centre as per world-class specifications". HE Khaldoun Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Authority, briefed Sheikh Khalifa in details on the execution phases and objectives of the huge project. The project will meet needs of Capital for more economic and commercial projects amid fastest growth and population increment. It is also part of the Abu Dhabi Developmental Plan 2030. The Island will be linked with Zayed port and adjacent Al Reem Island, to become a commercial centre for the capital. Spreading over the land area of 105 hectares, the Island will include array of unique commercial projects and 13 bridges, roads and pedestrian crossings. The project will also host a new headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Securities Market and Cleveland Clinic. Due to its strategic geographical location, Al Sowa Island enjoys beautiful natural scenes, making it a suitable centre for business institutions and affluent residential districts. Present also at the briefing were Minister of Presidential Affairs HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, chairman of Department of Finance in Abu Dhabi, Ahmed Jumma Al Zaabi, deputy Presidential Affairs Ministry and a number of senior officials.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2008.
