New Year's Day declared a holiday for UAE government, private entities

Workers and employees in the institutions and companies of the private sector will get one-day paid holiday on the first of January 2014 to mark the New Year.

A circular to this effect was issued Wednesday by Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Labour.

On the occasion, Ghobash congratulated President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Their Highnesses, Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates and people of the UAE on the occasion.

Also, the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has announced January 1 as a holiday for the financial markets and Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) to mark the New Year.

Trading will resume on Thursday, SCA said in a statement.

SCA also congratulated Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on the occasion, wishing them good health.