August 2016 ~ In 2008, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was asked why he insisted that his emirate’s construction projects be the world’s biggest, tallest, most extravagant, and off-the-chart architectural and engineering marvels on the planet. His answer: “Why settle for less when you can be #1?” Astute point. …
A $20 billion refi at 1%? You’re kidding, right?
No photo to share. No need to. Read on. International Monetary Fund estimated that the emirate of Dubai faced $30 billion in maturities this year. That is reportedly equal to a third of its annual economy. But --- an agreement was reached last March allowing the sheikdom to refinance $20 billion at 1% fixed interest, …
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Big? Uh uh. Momentous! It’s Dubai. Now what?
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 …
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Top international cities or countries in which to work, live and travel
October 31, 2013 Which international city would YOU choose to live, or work, or travel? Geneva? Sydney? Amsterdam? Singapore? Dubai? How about country? Polls citing different criteria, and presumably targeting different socio-economic groups, are completed each year. Do surveys significantly influence readers, or merely provide colorful reading? Being a frequent global traveler, I find them …
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Paul Cėzanne’s painting sells for a record $250 million!
October 27, 2013 Qatar, a tiny Arabian Gulf country with enormous wealth and breathtaking cultural ambitions, has become one of the most –if not THE most– influential buyers of art in the world today. The $250 million paid for one of Cėzanne’s five The Card Players in 2011, is the highest known price ever paid …
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Huge demographic population imbalance in Arabian Gulf countries
July 3, 2013 The expat population in the Arabian Gulf countries --- defined as being a citizen from another country, thereby requiring a work visa --- accounts for at least 31% of their combined populations, as reported yesterday in Arab News. By the numbers, 12.5 million out of 40 million are foreign workers: 26% of …
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Is it for real? A pipe dream? It’s not Kansas, Toto. It’s Dubai. Check it out!
June 23, 2013To quote Aarti Nagraj in Gulf Business, “Contrary to popular expectation, Dubai’s penchant for the ‘biggest, tallest and the best’ has not been dimmed by the property meltdown in the emirate in 2008/2009.” Gulf Business exposes five immense developments that, when complete, will continue to reshape Dubai’s map.http://gulfbusiness.com/2013/06/dubais-biggest-mega-projects/#.Uccj8JyM_28
Camel-meat hot dogs are now offered in Dubai
June 18, 2013 Throughout the world, people have consumed unusual life forms for centuries, even millennia, which many folks might find appalling. Insects, dogs, snails, snakes, raw meat, animal organs, even the dorsal fin of sharks are only a few of the tantalizing dishes. Sausage, salami and hot dogs made from assorted parts of beef, …
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Dubai ranked the world’s 2nd hottest property market in 2012
6 May 2013 In spite of the global real estate price meltdown in 2008-2009, the United Arab Emirates has continued to develop into a geographically strategic location between East and West and an epicenter for international business. In the wake of the Arab Spring, Dubai is perceived as a safe haven for wealth, making it …
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Dubai has 909 completed high-rise buildings
26 May 2013 When the United Arab Emirates was founded in 1971, there were zero tall buildings. In fact, there were very few buildings period. Today, 42 years later, the city of Dubai (in the emirate of Dubai) is a sea of high-rise buildings which include many of the world’s architectural marvels. Dubai boasts the …
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