Maktoum bin Mohammed: Zayed's Philanthropic Ally in Building the UAE's Hallmark

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai's First Deputy Ruler and UAE Finance Minister, honored the memory of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum on the 35th anniversary of his passing. The tribute highlights Sheikh Rashid's role as a founding father of the UAE and architect of modern Dubai.

In a post on X yesterday, Sheikh Maktoum described the late ruler as "Zayed's partner in building the foundation of the Union and founder of modern Dubai." The message emphasized how Sheikh Rashid's legacy continues to shape the nation and its people, even decades after his death in 1990.

Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum ruled Dubai from 1958 until his death and played a crucial role alongside Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in establishing the UAE federation in 1971. His vision transformed Dubai from a small trading port into a global business hub.

The timing of this tribute matters for Dubai's current trajectory. Sheikh Rashid's development philosophy - building infrastructure before demand materialized - became the blueprint for Dubai's growth model. This approach created the foundation for today's Dubai, which serves as a regional financial center and global logistics hub.

For investors and businesses operating in the UAE, Sheikh Rashid's legacy represents continuity in leadership vision. His emphasis on trade, infrastructure, and international connectivity remains central to Dubai's economic strategy today. The government continues to follow his model of ambitious projects that anticipate future needs rather than just meeting current demand.

The commemoration also reinforces the partnership between Dubai and Abu Dhabi that has defined UAE governance since independence. This relationship between the emirates remains critical for the country's federal structure and economic coordination, especially as both cities compete globally for investment and tourism.