The UAE Ministry of Finance organised an interactive public policy analysis workshop in Dubai, with the aim of deepening understanding and enhancing collaboration among government entities. The session, which took place on May 23 in Dubai, gathered prominent experts and specialists in the field of public policy from several government entities, including the UAE Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of the UAE, alongside local departments of finance, departments of economic development, departments of tourism development, environment agencies, municipalities, and chambers of commerce.

Focusing on crucial aspects of public policy, the workshop touched on fiscal policy analysis, providing insights into how strategic interactions and institutional roles influence the effectiveness of policy implementation.

His Excellency Saeed Rashid Alyateem, Assistant Undersecretary for Government Budget and Revenue Sector at the UAE Ministry of Finance, said: “Our objective goes beyond highlighting the importance of sound public policy. We also aim to enhance the frameworks through which these policies are implemented. The cooperation and knowledge exchange that we saw during this workshop highlights our commitment to strengthening public financial management and the effectiveness of policies.”

The workshop was presented by Sara Al Majedi, Head of the Macroeconomic Studies and Tools section at the Macro-Fiscal Policy Department, and Dr Sahel Alrousan, Senior Economic Advisor at the Macro-Fiscal Policy Department. They presented the theoretical and practical aspects of policy formulation, and discussed the impact that these policies can have on government operations and social well-being.

The discussions were then divided into four main groups, covering the importance and objectives of public policy, the mechanisms of individuals and strategic interactions, the role of institutions in shaping public policy, and the basics of financial policy analysis. Each module was designed to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in public policy and the tools needed for effective analysis and implementation.

Participants exchanged ideas and best practices, and were provided with new tools and perspectives that can help them implement their learnings within their respective organisations, paving the way for future initiatives that support and enhance public policy analysis in the UAE.