Purportedly the largest infrastructure project in the world is in the oven.
The monstrous Dubai Water Canal project was launched last October by the Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. What is it? It’s a 3 kilometer (1.8 mile) canal that stretches from the Arabian Gulf inland into the heart of the Business Bay district where the tallest building in the world is located. The canal will add 6 kilometers (3.6 miles) of waterfront real estate and is master planned to encompass in excess of 450 new restaurants, luxurious marinas, four world-class hotels, deluxe residences, an iconic Trade Center, the list goes on and on and on and ….
Cost of the canal alone? About $2 billion. The completed project is forecast to attract 20 to 22 million visitors per year so the trickle-down (trickle?) effect should cover the investment. Right?
What particularly fascinates me is that the Dubai Water Canal will be wide and deep enough to accommodate luxury yachts up to 200 feet! Captain, drop me off downtown. I have a business meeting to attend, and my wife wants to shop for a new wardrobe.
When might this whole shibang be completed? 2017 – three years prior to the World Expo which will be hosted by Dubai in 2020. But within those six years, a more momentous project than this momentous Water Canal project is very well apt to pop up. Hey, it’s Dubai.
Pick up the book STAYING AFLOAT – Three Years in Abu Dhabi and enjoy a colorful tale of my experience as an American expat while working and living in wealthy Abu Dhabi. Available via Amazon.
StephenCBurton 