Mohammed bin Zayed attends lecture on ‘Riding the Productivity Waves to Growth’

General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, attended on Wednesday, at his Majlis in Al Bateen, a lecture titled: "Riding the Productivity Waves to Growth" presented by Jeffrey R. Immelt, GE's Chairman and CEO.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, a number of Sheikhs, officials and specialists attended the lecture.

In his presentation, Immelt underscored the importance of education, training, research and development of industries, small and medium-sized entrepreneurships, in addition to the information technology in the management of economy and development.

The lecturer also stressed the importance of innovation and creativity as an integral part of the success of corporate and major industrial foundations.
He also talked about factors of productivity, which help countries and companies to succeed in the international environment, referring to Shale Gas, the revolution in the energy, development of manufacturing and industrial internet fields. 

GE's Chairman and CEO drew attention to the importance of Emiratisation "Tawteen" and preparing qualified professional staff and spread of simplification culture among the institutions in order to move quickly to meet challenges and achieve success.

He pointed out that the industries were and still the main engine for the economy, as they create jobs, citing the great industrial development in South Korea, which focussed on various industrial fields. 

Immelt stressed that modern states should develop stronger industrial infrastructure, citing the efforts being exerted by the UAE to develop the aviation industry and affiliated industries such as aluminum.

He noted that the UAE officials have clear vision about the knowledge and technology economy. "The real challenge is to harness natural resources and turn them into industry and production. The issue is not resources, but determination to change, innovate and develop."

The lecturer stressed the point that the industrial development should be associated with merging of digital technology with industrial feedbacks, noting that the efficiency of industrial companies depends on existence of analytical digital programme with higher capacity, if the companies seek to achieve future success."

GE CEO said the jobs provided by the industrial companies represent the backbone of economies, adding that the jobs push the economy forward.
He referred to stronger partnership between GE and Abu Dhabi, and with another international partnership with Mubadala on a number of research and development initiatives in the areas of clean energy, air navigation and development of cadres. He called for cooperation and innovation to achieve more growth.

Immelt said the investment in setting up environment innovative centre at Masdar city or joint project such as Mubadala GE Capital or setting up of Abu Dhabi Centre for Development of Leading Cadres, achieved great successes. "We are so happy to work together as partners," he said.
Jeffrey Robert "Jeff" Immelt (born February 19, 1956) is an American business executive. He is currently the chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the U.S.-based conglomerate General Electric. Immelt headed President Obam's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.