DUBAI IS WAITING

Dubai attracts more and more international media headlines through its strong consistent and globally targeted marketing campaigns. Television documentaries about this desert paradise, which has been growing into the 21st century at warp speed, leave those living abroad at wonder as to whether all of this is real and if so, is it sustainable.  For those wondering minds however, it is worthy to note that Dubai’s economic growth of 24 % for 2005 was three times higher than in China. 

Among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Oman), Dubai is the only Emirate which has opened itself up completely to the West, having more expatriates working and living in the fast-paced city. The enormous construction boom in the Middle East has been initiated by Dubai no more than three years ago. Various open market policies, the establishment of the Free Zones, as well as the 0% tax advantage, has helped Dubai’s spectacular economic boom soar to new levels.  Witnessing this tremendous success, not only other GCC countries have since started to follow suit but also internationally, Dubai is already a recognized global hub for trade, technology and business.
 

The UAE has more than thirty Free Zones where international investors such as Microsoft, Siemens, Daimler Chrysler, Nokia, Reuters and so forth, enjoy a hassle and tax free state-of-the- art business environment. Determined to establish Dubai as a “hot spot” globally, thus creating an international metropolis where foreign direct investment (FDI) finds attractive options for business and investment, the visionary leadership of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, and Ruler of Dubai, has allowed the UAE to attract the highest volume in FDI, among all Gulf States. 

The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) strategic geographical position in the Middle East is yet another advantage (six-hour flight to Central Asia and Europe, four hours to North Africa, and three hours to the Asian subcontinent (India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan) offers a tremendous accessibility to potential visitors and investors.  From Dubai’s International Airport, the Emirate’s rapidly expanding flagship carrier Emirates Airlines, flies to over 90 destinations worldwide.

DUBAI CITY OF CRANES

It is estimated that more than 25 percent of the world’s construction cranes are currently stationed in the UAE, most of them in Dubai, building what is now commonly referred to as “New Dubai”.  None of these buildings is older than three years and most are still under construction. One may wonder whether all mega-projects now in progress have realistic targets. As a matter of fact, at the moment Dubai is experiencing demand exceeding supply by far. Dubai indeed aims far and high in the most spectacular ways, and has so far left its critics more or less stupefied by selling out most projects in record time.

The World's tallest mixed - use tower

The colossal structure of the Burj Dubai (“burj” means “tower”) is already standing at overthe 80 levels and rising by an average of one level every four days (construction work is carried out 24/7). According to its developer, Emaar, everything is on schedule for completion in 2008.
 

The US $20 billion architectural miracle signature project has more than 3,000 workers from the subcontinent working on it to meet the ambitious deadline of 2008 completion. Burj Dubai will comprise of apartments, offices, retail outlets, restaurants and the overly anticipated 5-star Armani Hotel. 

Burj Dubai is rumoured to be at least 800 metres high. The tip of the spire will be visible from 60 miles away. Burj Dubai will feature the worlds fastest elevators – a breathtaking 40 mph. The tower’s water system will supply an average of 946,000 litres per day. The water from the condensation that forms on the outside of the tower will be collected and used for landscaping. If laid end to end, the steel bars used for construction would extend a quarter of the way around the world