DUBAI: UAE Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has passed away. He was 75.
Sheikh Hamdan was the brother of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum posted a picture of his brother on Twitter, adding: “We belong to God and to Him we shall return…May God have mercy on you, my brother, my support and my companion.”
إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون … رحمك الله يا أخي وسندي ورفيق دربي.. وأحسن مثواك .. وضعت رحالك عند رب كريم رحيم عظيم .. pic.twitter.com/xAw3rXIwoj
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) March 24, 2021
Sheikh Hamdan held the position of Minister of Finance since the first formation of the Cabinet on December 9, 1971. He had played an indispensable role in developing financial policies and government spending.
He presided over several high-level government entities that played a vital role in supporting the economy and labour market in the UAE. These included Dubai Municipality, Al Maktoum foundation, Dubai Aluminum (DUBAL) and Dubai Natural Gas Company Limited and Dubai World Trade Centre among others.
In 2006, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid received three certificates from the Royal British College, making him the first personality to attain such a distinction. He was granted Honorary fellowship for Internal Medicine from the Royal British College-London, -Edinburgh, and -Glasgow.
