Sometimes you just must share the adventure
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 …
Continue reading "Big? Uh uh. Momentous! It’s Dubai. Now what?"
November 2013 Interviewed by international broadcaster Derek “Tommo” Thompson at the One World – Five Continents Conference in Abu Dhabi in November, Steve discussed the emirate’s rulers’ mindset to THINK BIG – quantum leaps, not incremental steps, and at record-breaking pace. Pick up the book STAYING AFLOAT – Three Years in Abu Dhabi to acquire …
August 6, 2013 WALL STREET JOURNAL By Eliot Brown, Rory JonesMiddle East cities are racing to develop dominant international airports as luxurious transfer points for a fast-expanding global aviation market.On a sprawling patch of sand near downtown Abu Dhabi, thousands of workers are building the foundations of a new $3 billion international airport terminal, which …
Continue reading "Middle East Cities Vie to Have Biggest and Best Airport"
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 …
Continue reading "Huge demographic population imbalance in Arabian Gulf countries"
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
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 …
Continue reading "Dubai ranked the world’s 2nd hottest property market in 2012"
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 …
Continue reading "Dubai has 909 completed high-rise buildings"
Doha looks today like Dubai and Abu Dhabi looked back in 2006-2009. Revenue from Qatar’s natural gas reserves is propelling the country’s phenomenal growth. Qatar recently eclipsed the emirate of Abu Dhabi as the world’s wealthiest per capita thanks to its benevolent Emir and his parliamentarian government. The author stands on Doha’s Corniche marveling at …
Continue reading "Staying Afloat made its way to Qatar last month"
Abu Dhabi takes personal service to the next level. So does Dubai and neighboring Qatar. Abu Dhabi’s national airline – Etihad Airways, and Dubai’s airline – Emirates, and Qatar’s national airline – Qatar Airways – consistently rank on Skytrax’s list of Top Ten Best Airlines in the World. Skytrax is a premier UK-based aviation research …
The grand scheme of Abu Dhabi’s leadership, and the staggering size and cost of the emirate’s capital projects, are detailed in my book, STAYING AFLOAT – Three Years in Abu Dhabi, a colorful and comprehensive taste of life in one of the wealthiest locales on the planet. Keep in mind that the emirate of Abu …
Continue reading "Ambitious and forward-thinking direction of Abu Dhabi’s Rulers"
StephenCBurton 