The Finance Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has died at the age of 75.
He also doubled as the deputy ruler of the Emirate of Dubai.
The news of his death was contained in a statement issued by the Dubai media office on Wednesday.
UAE President, Khalifa bin Zayed, has ordered flags to be flown at half-mast across the country until Saturday to mark three days of mourning of the late Al Maktoum.
The statement revealed that the deceased Finance Minister had been unwell and had undergone surgery abroad in 2020.
Part of the statement read, “Dubai has announced a 10-day mourning period.
“Also, Funeral prayers will be restricted to family members due to the coronavirus pandemic.”
Until his death, he held the post of Finance Minister since his appointment in the first cabinet in 1971.
He is recognized for turning Dubai into a world center for trade and business.
Al Maktoum also led Emirati delegations to the International Monetary Fund and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Fund for international development.
The late deputy ruler controlled a wide array of conglomerates reaching Dubai’s economy, such as the Dubai Ports Authority, Dubai World Trade Center and Dubai Natural Gas Company Limited.
