New UAE labour law changes from January 2011

New UAE labour law changes from January 2011

Retirement age in UAE

Maximum age that foreign workers can be employed in UAE increased from 60 to 65 years old.

Part time work permits for students and other expat residents

From January 2011, university and college students sponsored by the institute in the UAE at which they are enrolled can legally work part-time under certain conditions. Students need to apply for a part-time work permit from the UAE Ministry of Labour (MOL). Not clear if students must be studying full-time, or if the new labour law decree also applies to part-time students.
A report in Gulf News 08 February 2010 said Gobash recalled an incident when the son of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, was denied the right to take up a part-time job in a company because there was no law regulationg [sic] these work permits. Implying that UAE National students also need a part-time work permit to be legally employed.
The part-time employment permit is also available to expat residents working full-time who have a valid labour card, and to expat wives sponsored by their husband. Not clear if expat husbands under wife sponsorship can also obtain a part-time work permit.
The part-time employment permit allows the holder to be employed in more than one part-time job.

Juvenile or teenage work permits

From January 2011, teenagers from 15-18 years of age can find jobs in the UAE after obtaining a teenage work permit from the MOL.
There are restrictions on the type of work and hours of employment. Ministerial decree 1189 for 2010 specifies 31 categories of work in which juveniles are not permitted to work, including underground jobs in mines, quarries, and other work related to mining; furnaces of melting metals; oil refining; bakeries; asphalt industry.
Some reports refer to the work permit as part-time only but it appears that full-time work is permitted.
Validity period of juvenile work permit is one year maximum.

Short term and temporary labour permit in UAE

Expat and foreign workers over the age of 18 (and less than 65 years of age) who have not previously worked in the UAE can now apply for short-term work permits valid for 60 days at a time according to UAE Ministry of Labour (MOL) information reported by the Al Khaleej newspaper 26 January 2011.
The 60-day work permits can be renewed up to 5 times (6 times reported but later information said maximum total period of one year), renewal must be made before expiry date of the permit or last renewed period.
Work permit initial fee AED 500. Work permit renewal fees and bank guarantee amount not reported.
Fine of AED 500 will apply for every 10 day period past the expiry date.
Permit will automatically be cancelled if fees and bank guarantee not paid within 60 days. Not clear if this means within the validity period, or within 60 days after expiry of the permit.
Short term work permits not available to UAE and GCC nationals (not that they need a work permit anyway, at least not UAE citizens).
A report in Emirates Business 24-7 on 05 February 2011 said "Also, priority will be given to Emiratis and GCC nationals who can take up the required job" making it sound like those nationalities need to apply for a short term permit, however it is more likely that the intention is that permits should only be issued to foreigners if the company cannot find an Emirati or GCC citizen to do the same job, since they don't need work permits for the UAE as far as we know.
Applications to be made at Tasheel center by employer or company representative, who must have electronic signature authority. Workers cannot apply for a temporary permit themselves.
In some circumstances, e.g. unpaid salaries for more than 2 months, workers can obtain a temporary work permit even if their current employer objects

Changes to laws about part-time work in the UAE - January 2011

Students and housewives can work part-time in the UAE according to changes in the UAE Labour Law from January 2011.
Part-time work permits will be available for one year at a time (fee AED 500), but female dependents and students with UAE residence visas will not need a work permit. Unclear if expat husbands sponsored by expat wives can work part-time without a permit.
Expatriate male dependants (husbands and sons) of Emirati women do not need a work permit to work part-time.

New rules for NOC, employment permit, and labour ban in Dubai and UAE - January 2011

Tel 800-6655 (toll-free in UAE) MOL helpline for questions.

As of Saturday 01 January 2011, new rules in the UAE reduce the employment period for which an NOC is no longer required when changing sponsors from 3 years to 2 years.
As far as we know, this does not apply to employees on fixed term contracts who leave before the end of their contract (which, unless a contract specifically allows this or the employer agrees to an early departure, means the employee has broken the terms of their contract and might still be subject to a 1 year labour ban instead of the automatic 6 month labour ban that usually applies when leaving a job in the UAE).
This information to be updated as the new law becomes more clear.


NOC no longer needed in UAE?

A Gulf News report 20 December 2010 said a government official clarified that the new law completely scraps the "no objection certificate" (NOC) (the official might have been Humaid Bin Deemas, Acting Director-General of the Ministry of Labour? Not confirmed). Which was not actually that clear. The NOC is no longer needed only for workers who have completed 2 years of employment. An NOC is still required for employees who have completed between 1 and 2 years of an unlimited contract. For those working less than 1 year, or breaking a limited period contract, a 1 year ban is still possible.

New law for NOC and ban period in UAE

On 16 December 2010, the official UAE news agency, WAM, published news about the new UAE labour law regarding ban periods (Cabinet Resolution No 25 of 2010 regarding internal work permit at the Ministry of Labour, issued by the UAE Minister of Labour, Saqr Gobash).

Transfer without NOC or ban is only possible if the employee has worked at least 2 years with the employer, and the employee and employer have terminated their relationship "cordially". The WAM report said The resolution says that the new employment permit will only be granted to the worker after the end of his work relationship with his employer without consideration of the legitimate six month period which is usually calculated after the cancellation of the worker's labour card, but stipulates two must-do conditions : firstly, the two contracting parties must have ended their work relationship cordially and secondly, the worker should have worked with his employer for two years at least- the duration of the new labour card which will be issued by early January.
However, an employee can obtain a new work permit without the agreement of the sponsor at the end of the contractual period (2 years minimum?) in 2 cases: First : when the employer fails to honour his legally or contractual obligations. Second, in the condition of expiry of work relationship where the worker takes no responsibility such a complaint filed by the worker against his firm.
Or, there are 3 situations in which a worker can get a new work permit even if s/he has been employed less than 2 years. First: When joining his new job, the worker should be classified in the first, second or third professional class and that his new salary should not be less than Dh 12,000, Dh 7,000 and Dh 5000 if he is in the first, second and third class respectively. Second:Non-compliance of the employer with legal, labour obligations towards the worker or in the case where the worker has no role in terminating the work relationship. Third: Shifting of the worker to another firm the employer owns it or has stakes in it.
Other points to note about the new Labour Law regulations (all unconfirmed as of December 2010)

Labour card fee to be reduced to AED 300 (should be payable by employer) for companies at the top level of 5 categories - those employing at least 20% skilled workers, and 15% Emirati nationals. Other companies will pay AED 600 to AED 5,000 per employee for labour cards?
Skilled workers divided into 3 categories:
University degree holders
Partial college level study completed (diplomas, certificates, etc beyond secondary education)
Secondary school education completed
Cheaper labour card costs for companies employing minimum 20% skilled workers, of whom 15% are Emiratis, and being paid a minimum salary as in the table below (system introduced mid-December 2010) (unclear if minimum salary requirement is for Emiratis only, or all nationalities):

Level		Education	Minimum Salary	Labour Card Fees
1	Skilled	University degree	AED 12,000	AED 300
2	Skilled	Post secondary	AED 7,000
3	Skilled	Secondary	AED 5,000
4	Unskilled
5	Unskilled

Automatic 6 month employment ban to be lifted for skilled and professional workers.
Changes in the law prompted by a UAE Ministry of Labour (MOL) study - Humaid Bin Deemas Al Suwaidi, MOL Undersecretary, was reported as saying (29 December 2010) "We did a study and found that 70% of employees end their contracts before completing the three years."
Employer attitudes in the UAE summed up nicely by a comment reported in The National 28 December 2010 - a company administrator said about their employees "We used to have control over them, and we knew it wasn't easy from them to go, now we will lose this control." Which is probably just what the MOL hopes will happen - the loss of control that is.
Clarifying the question of whether or not workers on fixed contracts can leave at any time during their contract period, Humaid Bin Deemas Al Suwaidi, MOL Under-secretary, was reported on 27 December 2010 to have said on UAE radio stations that "They cannot unless the contract has ended - legally. They have to respect their contracts. They are the ones who agreed to them, or agreed on their renewal."
The National reported on 27 December 2010 that the MOL Undersecretary said only 0.4% of the private sector workforce are Emirati nationals - about 16,000 out of 4 million registered workers in the UAE.

New company categories in UAE - 05 December 2010 (WAM)

Companies in the UAE classified into 3 categories according to Resolution Number 1187 of 2010 on Regulations and Criteria of Classification of Firms in implementation of Cabinet Resolution Number 26 of 2010, issue date 11 August 2010 by UAE Minister of Labour, Saqr Gobash. New categories replace previous classification system in operation since 2005.
Implementation not until July 2011? Emirates Business 24-7 reported on 11 January 2011 that The UAE Ministry of Labour has clarified that new labour law amendments due to be implemented in July this year ...
Article 10 covers the introduction of practical and real mechanisms for voluntary Emiratisation.

Category	Level	Qualification	Minimum Salary	Minimum staff	Emiratisation	Cross-cultural compliance
First	1 (A)	Degree	AED 12,000	20%	minimum 15%
First	2 (B)	Diploma	AED 7,000	20%	minimum 15%
First	3 (C)	Unskilled	AED 5,000	20%	minimum 15%
Second	1 (A)		AED 12,000		minimum 15%	minimum 75%
Second	2 (B)		AED 7,000		minimum 15%	50%-75%
Second	3 (C)		AED 5,000		minimum 15%	below 50%
Third

First group of companies information in italics based on Emirates 24-7 report 11 January 2011 (Dh12,000 minimum salary for degree holders part of new company classification policy ... UAE Labour Ministry clarifies that amendment applies to only Category I firms under the new system), appears to conflict with or revise previous information giving similar requirements for Category II companies.
Category I companies will be exempted from paying a bank guarantee for workers.
Category I companies exempted from paying visa deposit fees.
Companies upgraded to Category I may not reduce employee salaries below the minimums specified, otherwise they are at risk of being downgraded again.
Minimum staffing levels given as 20% in various reports but not clear if for each classification, or total for all 3 classifications.
Second group of companies is subdivided "based on their commitment to certain standards like emiratisation, wages and housing" according to comments from UAE Minister of Labour, Saqr Gobash (05 December 2010 WAM report).
Category II companies must pay AED 3,000 bank deposit per worker, up to a maximum of AED 1.5 million (level A), AED 3m (B), or AED 5m (C).
Cross-cultural compliance policy based on WAM report 05 December 2010 that said "For the second group, the resolution arranged firms to A,B and C according to cross-cultural policy. A company is sorted in group A if it does not commit itself to this policy by at least 25 per cent. A non-compliance of 25 to 50 will place the company in grade B and C if the percentage crosses the 50 mark." No, we're not sure if we understood it correctly either, and no, we don't know how it's measured anyway.
Third group of companies is those with 100 or more black points for labour law related offences and convictions such as recruiting infiltrators, human trafficking, providing wrong information regarding the wages protection system (WPS), or failing to observe emiratisation policy. Companies can be fined from AED 15,000-20,000 for such offences.
Category III companies required to pay AED 3,000 bank deposit per worker up to a maximum of AED 10 million.
Exemptions from paying bank guarantees irrespective of company category apply to:
Industrial projects licensed by the UAE Ministry of Economy.
Federal or Local Government companies and organisations.
Non-profit organisations, cooperative associations, and national associations under the supervision of the UAE Ministry of Social Affairs.



Minimum salary in UAE - February 2011

As a result of UAE Labour Law changes at the start of 2011, several reports emerged with headlines or articles claiming that the minimum salary paid in the UAE had increased to AED 5,000, AED 7,000, or AED 12,000.
Such claims should be taken with a pinch of salt. The labour law changes specified the requirements for a company to be classified as a second category company (or 2nd level, or something similar - a variety of terms are being used), including minimum salary. This does not mean there is a blanket minimum salary requirement in the UAE.

New labour permit fees UAE - December 2010

New Ministry of Labour (MOL) fees reported in Al Khaleej newspaper 20 & 29 December 2010 (as per Article 2 of Ministerial Decree No 26 of 2010), costs and fees effective from January 2011:

Companies are exempted from paying the following fees for Emirati employees.

Fee category	Amount (AED)	Frequency	Notes
MOL registration fee for new companies	2,000	once
Digital signature processing for new companies	250	once
Companies employing non-Emirati PROs	2,000	2 yearly
Lost or damaged PRO card	200
Labour card for employees under family sponsorship	2,000	2 yearly
Labour card for category 1 workers	300	2 yearly
Labour card for category 2 level A workers	600	2 yearly
Labour card for category 2 level B workers	1,500	2 yearly
Labour card for category 2 level C workers	2,000	2 yearly
Labour card for category 2 workers	5,000	2 yearly
Labour card for employees over 65 years old	5,000	2 yearly
Temporary work permits for minors (15-18 yrs old) initial fee	100
Temporary work permit up to one year for minors	500	annual
Transfer fee to new company	300	once
Labourer importing fee per company (initial)	10,000
Labourer importing fee per company renewal	5,000	annual
Fine for delayed labour card application (after 60 days)	1,000	monthly

UAE Labour Law in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and other emirates

UAE Labour Law in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and other emirates

Labour regulations in the UAE are governed by the UAE Labour Law - Federal Law No. 8 of 1980.
Amendments include Federal Laws No. 24 of 1981, No. 15 of 1985 and No. 12 of 1986
Nothing on this page (or website for that matter) should be taken as proper, improper, or any other sort of legal advice or interpretation of UAE law. It is only our opinion or understanding of rules, regulations, and procedures in the UAE. You should consult a lawyer and/or the UAE labour department for professional and/or official information. Or at least read the UAE Labour Law yourself, and ignore anything we say, especially if you don't think it agrees with the law.

It is against the labour law in the UAE for recruitment agents and companies to charge job candidates and employees any fees for any part of the recruitment process or residence visa and work permit application. Many still try, and that should set off warning bells regarding the nature of the employer. Within the UAE, they can be reported to the UAE Ministry of Labour who may or may not do anything about it. Either way, job applicants are likely to be better off moving on to another recruitment agent and/or employer who respects the law.

Treat all information on this page as unconfirmed unless directly obtained from an official source (UAE Ministry of Labour for example) as there are media reports with conflicting information. As is common in the UAE, when there are significant changes in the law, there is usually a period of confusion while:

the authorities try to figure out if what they were reported to have said is what they thought they meant to say,
if the result is really what they wanted,
the media, citizens, and expat residents try to figure out what is really going on,
and targeted groups and organisations try to figure out how to get away with what they were doing before any shakeup, or how much wasta they need to get around any new rules.
Federal Labour Law Number 8 covers most of the essential rules and regulations you need to know with respect to salaries, termination, gratuity etc. It is (or was) available in English online at the UAE Ministry of Labour (MOL) website and in bookshops, and is worth familiarising yourself with.

You will probably hear many people complain that the employment contract is not worth the paper it's written on. Certainly there are people who've had an unpleasant job experience somewhere where things did not seem to go according to what they understood from their contract. Or worse. To minimise the risk of problems, keep in mind the following points.

Legally, only the Arabic version of a contract is valid in the UAE.
Having a written contract is at least something. A verbal contract is worth much less.
You should read your contract carefully before accepting a position and resolve any questions or issues before signing it. Make sure you have a written copy of any changes negotiated, or a revised contract. That's important. If an issue is unresolved before signing a contract, expect it to stay that way no matter what you are told.
You should be given an English version. Consider carefully the implications of what you are doing if you sign a contract in Arabic without understanding it.
Alarm bells should go off if a company will not send you a copy of the contract before you arrive, or they ask you to sign what appears to be a different contract when you do arrive.
If you do have a problem with your employer and want a legal opinion, there are many lawyers available (who charge a fee of course). See a list of possible lawyers in UAE to try.
It is possible that you end up in a situation where it is difficult to resolve things even if the law is apparently on your side. You can expect that the one with the most wasta (influence, power) will win, in which case, put your tail between your legs and hope the door doesn't hit you on your way out.
Your embassy might be able to help by providing you a list of lawyers to contact.
Most jobs in Dubai have a probationary period of between one month and one year. During this time you can be dismissed without notice and are not entitled to any end of service benefits. It is not clear if this works both ways i.e. you can resign without notice. Some say the law says no, but people have successfully resigned from their jobs at short notice during probation.

The UAE Labour Law does not cover certain job categories (maids and other domestic workers, federal and government employees, agricultural workers) which seems to mean that people employed in those sorts of jobs have few, if any, rights. For example no gratuity payments, unless something is specified in a contract (but even then it sometimes seems as if a contract is not worth the paper it's written on). The following worker categories are exempted:

Employees of the Federal Government and of governmental departments of the emirates of the Federation, employees of municipalities, other employees of federal and local public authorities and corporations, as well as employees who are recruited against federal and local governmental projects.
Members of the armed forces, police and security.
Domestic servants employed in private households, and the like.
Farming and grazing workers, other than those working in agricultural establishments that process their own products, and those who are permanently employed to operate or repair mechanical equipment required for agricultural work.

Links to UAE Labour Law documents and PDF downloads

www.angelfire.com/nv/sabu/UAE%20Labour%20Law.html - not the actual text of the UAE Labor Law but a useful summary.

www.gulftalent.com/repository/ext/UAE_Labour_Law.pdf - might require name and email address for access.

www.scribd.com/doc/2910325/UAELabourLaw

www.zu.ac.ae/library/html/UAEInfo/documents/UAELabourLaw.pdf - copy of the Al Tamimi & Co version of the UAE Labor Law. Be careful, it's their wording, not the official document, which is more readable but does contain some apparent inconsistencies.

List Of the JOBSITES in Dubai

www.allarabia.com
www.dubizzle.asia
www.careersindubai.com
www.careerjunctionme.com
www.dubaidonkey.com - online general classified ads website (started 2005-2006) with jobs section, no fees to pay. Can't seem to apply for a job though (website error when attempted 22 June 2006). The name sounds a bit silly, but as far as we know, Dubai Donkey are for real. Listed here because it is often seen as a recommended job hunting website.
www.dubaijobs.com - not a job website, just spam (at least, it was when checked August 2007)
www.dubaijobs.net - related to www.uaestaffing.com and/or www.jobsindubai.com? Charges fees to job seekers.
www.dubaijobsnetwork.com - they say employers can post jobs free, and no charges for job seekers.
www.ebankingcareeers.com
www.efinancialcareers.com
www.e-jobsearch - submit your CV online and they claim to send it to thousands of recruiters to make a match. Based in UK and Dubai. Website says their service is free for recruiters so it's not clear how they make money without charging applicants (no further information found on website - 22 June 2006).
www.gulfbankers.com
www.gulfboom.com
www.gulfcvspecialists.com - according to some, charges for rewriting a CV in "Dubai Style", which just sounds bizarre to us.
www.gulfjobsites.com
www.careersindubai.com
www.careerjet.com (or www.careerjet.ae) - a search engine for jobs, Career Jet searches other job websites and collects all their listings on the careerjet websites.
www.dubaiemploymentagency.com - forwards to the Dubai Employment Board (probably not a Dubai government agency) website
www.dubaijobspot.com - not a recruitment agency but site where job hunters can post CVs and search through jobs advertised by employers. According to their website, job seekers don't pay, unclear how much employers are charged to advertise. Job applications appear to be online via website, or direct to employers.
www.jobs123.com - separate page due to long list of associated websites, or see the www.jobs123.com forum topic
www.jobscan.ae - website doesn't say one way or the other if job search fees charged as far as we can tell, but email received in May 2011 says they do not charge fees to job applicants.
www.jobsindubai.com - see comments and additional related websites below
www.jobsouk.com - they say free for employers and job seekers.
www.jobspot100.com - another clever forum spammer with a website with ads copied from Gulf News etc.
www.jobtrackme.com - according to website, been around since 1993 (website looks like it was designed around then). You're requested to email your CV as a word document. A rather outdated way of operating online. Covers the Middle East and some of Asia - jobtrackgroup.net (has a more up-to-date site design) seems to be for India but you can find Middle East jobs on it too. Not clear if job seeker or employer or both pay.
www.laazi.com - website itself looks like Laazi could be a reasonable choice, not investigated any further.
www.lobomanagement.com - gets an 'Excellent' rating from the Dubai Employment Board, which makes it a questionable agency in our opinion.
www.mawaride.com - online portal for jobs in Algeria, Belgium, China, France, Oman, Pakistan, Tunisia, as well as the United Arab Emirates, and other countries. Even the Arctic and Antartica are in the search criteria (but no results when we tried to search for a job there). Mawaride was established in 2004 and claims to be the "largest growing job portal", whatever that means. It's either free to post your CV, or they don't tell you what it costs until after you've submitted your CV. Employers pay $115-$180 per job posting, or $6000 for unlimited postings. Listings are active for 30 days. Jobs seem to be be mostly available for India, Egypt, UAE, and a handful in other Asian, European, and North African countries. Total of about 100 job listings when checked August 2007.
www.nadia-me.com - website for Nadia's recruitment, one of the more established recruitment companies in Dubai.
www.sosrecruitment.net - we thought SOS recruitment were a good one, but rated as 'Excellent' by the Dubai Employment Board raises a question mark for us.
www.strategiy.com - online business portal with classified job advertisements. Covers UAE and Middle East. Website not loading when checked August 2007.
www.talentdubai.com
www.teleportmyjob.com - doesn't seem to be a very popular choice according to many comments
www.uaestaffing.com - connected to dubaijobs.net and/or jobsindubai.com? Charges fees to job hunters.

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dubizzle.asia

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Dubai Festival City

Dubai Festival City  is a large residential, business and entertainment development in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Touted as a "city-within-a-city", Dubai Festival City is the Middle East's largest mixed-use development: all elements for work, living, and leisure will be contained within the project. Once completed Festival City will comprise a series of residential communities, numerous hotels, malls, a golf course and other entertainment sites, and a full suite of public services, including schools.

Description



Dubai Festival City


Dubai Festival City at night

Construction of the development, which was undertaken by Al Futtaim Carillion, began in 2003 and is expected to take 12 years. The project spans 3.8 kilometres (2.4 mi) of water frontage on the eastern bank of Dubai Creek and is 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) from Dubai International Airport. As of mid-2006, investments in the project had exceeded 11 billion AED (3 billion USD).

Hotels

The development includes two hotels and a long term stay serviced apartment complex, all managed by InterContinental Hotels Group. In July 2009, Intercontinental took over management of the Al Badia Golf Course. Future developments include the 350-room W Hotel Dubai and the 400-room Four Seasons Hotel Dubai, but construction of both hotels was put on hold in January 2009 due to the Global financial crisis of 2008–2009.

Festival Waterfront Centre

Dubai Festival City's Festival Waterfront Centre on 7 March 2007

The Festival Waterfront Centre, is a retail power centre which includes IKEA, HyperPanda supermarket (first hypermarket outside of Saudi Arabia), Plug-ins ElectroniX and Ace Hardware (the largest outside North America).

HOW TO FIND JOB IN DUBAI

HOW TO FIND JOB IN DUBAI

DUBAI CITY TOUR

DUBAI CITY TOUR (HD)

DUBAI TOUR

DUBAI TOUR VIDEO 

DUBAI MALL

The Dubai Mall is the world's largest shopping mall based on total area and sixth largest by gross leasable area. Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, it is part of the 20-billion-dollar Burj Khalifa complex, and includes 1,200 shops.Access to the mall is provided via Doha Street, rebuilt as a double-decker road in April 2009.

Twice delayed, Dubai Mall opened on 4 November 2008, with about 635 retailers, marking the world's largest-ever mall opening in retail history. However it is not the largest in gross leasable space, and is surpassed in that category by several malls including the South China Mall, which is the world's largest, Golden Resources Mall, SM City North Edsa, and SM Mall of Asia.
The Dubai Mall recorded 60,000 tickets sold for the Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre in the first five days, following its opening.The Dubai Mall hosted over 37 million visitors in 2009, and attracts more than 750,000 visitors every week. while in 2010 it hosted 47 million, and saw footfall increase by around 27 percent over 2009, despite the economic crisis.In 2011, Dubai Mall became the world's most-visited shopping and leisure destination, and attracted more than 54 million visitors, the traffic was a 15 per cent increase from 2010 and surpassed 50.2 million visitors to New York City. The numbers also surpass visitor arrivals to all landmark leisure destinations and theme parks in the world including Times Square (39.2 million), Central Park (38 million), and Niagara Falls (22.5 million).

Description

Outside Dubai Mall near the Fountain.
Over 12 million sq ft (equivalent in size to more than 50 football pitches), the Dubai Mall has a total internal floor area of 5.9 million square feet (55 ha) and leasable space of 3.77 million square feet (35 ha), about the same as the West Edmonton Mall.
It also has a 250-room luxury hotel, 22 cinema screens plus 120 restaurants and cafes. The Mall has over 14,000 parking spaces across 3 car parks, with valet services and a car locator ticketing system. The mall has won five awards - two awards at the Retail Future Project Awards at Mapic, Cannes, in 2004, for Best Retail Development Scheme (Large) and Best Use of Lighting in a Retail Environment] and the Dubai Mall brochure collected three awards at the Summit Creative Awards 2005 in Portland, Oregon - the Gold award for Best Art Direction / Graphic Design, Silver award for Best 4-colour B2B Brochure, and a Judges Special Recognition award.

Dubai Aquarium and Under Water Zoo

The shark tunnel of Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

The Mall's Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre, developed and operated by Oceanis Australia Group, officially earned the Guinness World Record for the world's "Largest Acrylic Panel" (32.88 m wide × 8.3 m high × 750 mm thick and weighing 245,614 kg). The acrylic viewing panel is larger than Japan's Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (22.5 m wide × 8.2 m high and 600 mm thick). Its 750 mm thick acrylic viewing panel can withstand pressure of 10 million litres of water used in the aquarium, but its transparency gives visitors clear views of over 33,000 marine animals on display.[6] In February 2010, a leak in the aquarium caused a partial evacuation and brief shutdown of a portion of the mall.

The Mall adopted an International Standard of Ethics and Animal Welfare Policy in its development and operation.

Dubai Ice Rink

Ice Rink inside Dubai Mall.

The Mall's Dubai Ice Rink multi-purpose venue, uses refrigeration plant technology by developing 1.5 inches (38 mm) of ice bed, 2 times the thickness of an NHL ice rink for Olympic-sized attraction. Dubai Ice Rink can host a capacity of up to 2,000 guests, when converted into a multi-functional hall with world-class multimedia system including a 20 m × 10 m LED screen. Operations Manager, Richard Rowlands, a 7 years Welsh figure skating pairs champion, described it: "Dubai Ice Rink in itself is an exciting facility, bringing the first-ever Olympic-sized ice rink to Dubai. A top-class facility offering the best of, including over 1,800 pairs of skates imported from a leading manufacturer in Italy to fit children and adults of all ages and sizes, the Dubai Ice Rink will host themed nights, Learn-to-Skate programs, figure skating lessons and hockey matches.The advanced technology used at the Dubai Ice Rink ensures that the consistency of the ice-bed is maintained at all times. By incorporating the refrigerator technology of pushing in glycol through a network of pipes, and monitoring the cooling over a period of five to six days, the 38 mm ice-bed is tailored to withstand multiple activities in a safe environment."

SEGA Republic

SEGA Republic, a 76,000 sq ft (7,100 m2) indoor theme park, was opened on 21 August 2009. Visitors can enjoy over 150 amusement games; The Redemption Zone hosts one of the region's largest selection of redemption games as well as a huge selection of winnable merchandise for all ages. It is a park that is mainly dedicated to SEGA's icon Sonic the Hedgehog. The entrance to Sega Republic is located on the second floor of The Dubai Mall.

Reel Cinemas

Main article: Reel Cinemas

The Reel Cinemas opened on 14 August 2009 on the second floor of Dubai Mall. Reel Cinema is a 22 screen megaplex with more than 2,800 seats. All screens are currently open. It is the largest cinema in the region.[19] More than 10,000 visitors visited the cineplex in its opening week.[20] It is operated by Reel Entertainment LLC, a joint venture formed by Emaar Retail LLC and Singapore-based entertainment provider Cathay Organisation Holdings Ltd to develop cinemas across the Middle East. The flagship 22-screen Reel Cinemas at The Dubai Mall is the first megaplex developed and operated by the venture, and will soon be followed by the 6-screen Reel Cinemas at Dubai Marina Mall. The Reel Cinemas is located on the 2nd level of the mall. Of the 22 screens present, there are both 2D and 3D screens available. A new movie starts at the Reel Cinemas every 10 minutes. 

Shops

The Dubai Mall contains more than 1,200 shops and is anchored by Galeries Lafayette, Debenhams, Bloomingdale's, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer.

In October 2009 it was reported that the world's largest candy store opened in Dubai Mall.

Construction

The mall was built by a joint venture of Dutco Balfour Beatty, Al Ghandi/CCC and Turner Construction[citation needed] for Emaar Properties and was scheduled to be completed in 2006, claiming to be the size of 50 "international-sized football (soccer) pitches". Most of the workers used in construction of the mall were Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan guest workers. The internal mobile phone coverage for Dubai Mall was commissioned, integrated and carried out by Motorola Dubai for Etisalat and du. Multimedia and acoustic design is by Shen Milsom & Wilke, London . Gulf precast was incharge of the precast job on the outside.

World records and achievements

Dubai Mall near the Fountain at Dusk.

Largest mall in the world with total area 1,124,000m2.

Worlds sixth largest mall with Gross Leasable Area (GLA) 350,000m2.

World’s largest acrylic panel (Aquarium) inside Dubai Mall, which is (32.88 m wide × 8.3 m high × 750 mm thick and weighing 245 tons).

World’s largest sweet shop "Candylicious" spanning over 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) inside Dubai Mall.

Dubai Mall records more than 5 million visitors in the month of March,2010 during the one-month Dubai Shopping Festival, setting an all-time record in visitor footfall

Dubai Mall has been named the best shopping experience on 29 April 2010 by Grazia Style Awards.

The Dubai Mall hosted a record 37 million visitors in its first year of operation in 2009, and attracts more than 750,000 visitors every week.

The Dubai Mall hosted a record 47 million visitors in 2010, and broke the record of 37 million visitors received last year, an increase of 27 percent despite the economic crisis.

The Dubai Mall hosted a record 54 million visitors in 2011, and broke the record of 47 million visitors received last year, an increase of 15 percent.

In 2011, Dubai Mall becomes the world's most-visited shopping and leisure destination, and attracted more than 54 million visitors thus surpassed 50.2 million visitors to New York City, the visitor numbers also surpass visitor arrivals to all landmark leisure destinations and theme parks in the world including Times Square, 39.2 million, Central Park 38 million, and Niagara Falls 22.5 million.

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL CITY

Dubai International city is a country-themed architecture of residences, business, and tourist attractions. Spreading over an area of 800 hectares (8 million square meters), the arrangement of the city is inspired by the traditional carpets of Middle East. Once completed, the project will contain studio and one bedroom apartments and accommodate over 60,000 residents.

Overview

Dubai International City, embraces the residential districts of Central Business District (CBD), Persia, Greece, Spain, Morocco, England, France, Italy, Russia,China and Emirates. Apart from these districts that were initially planned for Dubai International City namely Lake District and Forbidden City are now on put on hold due to the effects of the Global Financial Recession. Some astounding attractions in the city includes the World Famous Dragon Mart which is the worlds biggest machinery and equipment market.

Projects

The Residential District

The Residential District of Dubai international city planned to have numerous country specific and themed residential developments and retail outlets. There will be commercial shops, restaurants, medical centers, a post office, police station, and transportation services.

China District

International City’s China Precinct lies at one end of the residential district. The simple lines of its two-, three- and four-storey buildings echo the Chinese mantra of harmony and balance. The traditional Chinese motifs, balconies, red tile overhangs, undulating roofs and pagodas reflect the yin of its imperial past; while nearby Dragon Mart Complex provides the yang of 21st century convenience.

England District

England Precinct mirrors traditional London architecture, especially with 18th- and 19th-century Georgian and Revivalist styles featured in its two-, three- and four-storey buildings that are topped by red gabled roofs and brick chimneys. Shop fronts on the ground floor further accentuate England Precinct’s quaint little village charm.

France District

France Cluster in Dubai International City

It features two-, three- and four-storey residential blocks characterized by long French windows, red and gray bricks, and pilasters or half-columns. All of which evoke Paris’s flair for fashion. Resembling the architecture of southern France, the traditional yellow buildings have a timeless air to them to complement the surrounding areas.

Persia District

The legacy of Persian history and the enduring popularity of its art have filtered through to every corner of the globe. This is evident in International City’s Persia Precinct. Situated in the heart of the residential district, its two-, three- and four storey buildings are decorated with traditional Islamic domes and wide-spaced arches and windows. These peach and blue colored facades lend the neighborhood an ancient character reminiscent of the ancient cities of Bam, Shiraz, Esfahan and Tehran.

Greece District

International City’s Greece Precinct lies at the edge of the residential district. The design of its three- and four-storey buildings on the other hand, travel back to the age of Homer, Aristotle and Alexander. Featuring tiled-roofs, balconies, symmetrically placed windows and white-painted walls, this precinct reminds one of the Greek architectural ideals of order and harmony.

Russia District

While Russia may have harsh winters, International City’s Russia Precinct features two- to four-storey residential buildings with cool whites and greys to offer solace from the heat of the desert. The rest of the precinct’s elements blend harmoniously like a Tchaikovsky masterpiece, with an urban design as choreographed as a Bolshoi Ballet performance.

Spain District

Spain is renowned for its artistic heritage and zest for life. These passions are captured in International City’s Spain Precinct. It’s three-and four-storey buildings are designed according to traditional stucco exterior finish, with Mediterranean oranges and peaches contrasting with brightly tiled, low-pitched roofs. Arched windows and raised entryways call to mind traditional elements of Spanish architecture, while authentic-looking balconies bring a sense of the outdoors into some of these flats. Arched doorways, windows, porches and entries round off the Spanish look.

Morocco District

With hospitality a cornerstone of Moroccan culture, International City’s Morocco Precinct provide an equally welcoming experience through the simplicity of the architecture: airy spaces and sand-coloured walls. The precinct’s three- and four-storey residential buildings are decorated with vibrant green tiles, natural terra-cottas, stucco walls and wide-arched windows.

Italy District

Italy Cluster in Dubai International City

Two- to four-storey residential blocks adhere to the Italian passion for artistry as epitomized by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. The precincts dreamy landscape comes from terracotta roofs that evoke a rustic Tuscan charm, complemented by facades that are simple and pleasing in their fluidity.

Emirates

Emirates Cluster in Dubai International City

Emirates – the 10th precinct in the Residential District — lies at the northeast end. Comprising 26 low-rise apartment blocks offering studio and one-bedroom apartments, the unique design and architecture of these buildings capture the Arabian essence and timeless charm of the Emirates, providing a touch of nostalgia to thoroughly modern Dubai.

The Central District

CBD Cluster in Dubai International City

International City's Central District is spread over 21 hectares the multi-purpose Central District will be the centre of International City's commercial activity. The Central Business District upon completion will endow the central hub of the development.

The Forbidden City

The Forbidden city will encompass ans area of 240,000 square metres with parking facilities for 2,000 cars, the city is the replica of iconic Forbidden City of Beijing, China. When completed it will accommodate residential, retail, outlets, museums, and performing courts.

The Lake District

The Lake District surrounds the Al Warsan Lake a 100 hectare natural Eco system and home to nearly 200 species of birds including some of the most exotic and rare birds found in the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Asia.

A unique freshwater lake lies inside the boundaries of International City alongside the Dubai-Hatta Road. The Al Wasan lake consists of a series of interconnected wetlands of about 3 metres depth set in an arid undulating desert landscape. The Al Wasan pools were created in the 1990s when excess treated sewage effluent water was pumped from the nearby Al Weer sewage treatment plant into shallow pits which had been excavated as a quarry by a local building company. An assessment of the lake's biological characteristics and water quality in an Environmental Impact Assessment and baseline survey of flora and fauna - indicted clean water rich in aquatic life and exhibiting high biological productivity.

Dragon Mart

DragonMart provides a gateway for the supply of Chinese products in the Middle Eastern and North African Markets, offering Chinese traders and manufacturers a unique platform from which to cater to the needs of this sizeable market. Inaugurated on December 7th, 2004, the 1.2 kilometre-long DragonMart is the largest trading centre for Chinese products outside mainland China.

The 150,000 square meter dragon-shaped structure has 3,950 shops engaged in the wholesale and retail trade of a variety of Chinese products including home appliances, stationery, office appliances, communication and acoustic equipment, lamps, household items, building materials, furniture, toys, machinery, garments, textiles, footwear and general merchandise.

With over 2,500 parking spaces, the shopping centre is divided into seven zones offering an array of high quality facilities for visitors and traders alike, making it the largest Chinese commercial centre in the MENA region.

Strategically located on the Hatta - Al Ain highway, the mart is adjacent to eight fully equipped warehouses, only 200 metres away from the main complex, offering a total area of 30,000 square metres of warehousing facilities to its traders.

Dragon Mart Aerial View

Work has started on a second mart right next to Dragon Mart that will have 175,000 square metres of space and 4,500 parking spaces.

DUBAI METRO

DUBAI METRO

The Dubai Metro is a driverless, fully automated metro rail network in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai. The Red Line and Green Line are operational, with three further lines planned. These first two lines run underground in the city centre and on elevated viaducts elsewhere (elevated railway). All trains and stations are air conditioned with platform edge doors to make this possible.

The first section of the Red Line, covering 10 stations, was ceremonially inaugurated at 9:09:09 PM on 9 September 2009, by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, with the line opening to the public at 6 AM on 10 September.The Dubai Metro is the first urban train network in the Arabian Peninsula. More than 110,000 people, which is nearly 10 per cent of Dubai’s population, used the Metro in its first two days of operation. The Dubai Metro carried 10 million passengers from launch on 9 September 2009 to 9 February 2010 with 11 stations operational on the Red Line.

Guinness World Records has declared Dubai Metro as the world's longest fully automated metro network spanning at 75 kilometres (47 mi).

DUBAI METRO

OPERATION

The Dubai Metro is operated by Serco under contract to the Dubai Roads & Transport Authority.

Before launch, Dubai Municipality Public Transport Department expected the metro to carry 1.2 million passengers on an average day, 27,000 passengers per hour for each line, and 355 million passengers per year once both lines are fully operational. It is planned provide transport for 12% of all trips in Dubai. After the first month of operation (on a limited network), the actual monthly ridership was 1,740,578, which equates to under 60,000 passengers/day.[20] After the opening of more stations in May 2010, ridership surged to 103,002 passengers/day and reached 130,000/day by the beginning of October 2010, though still short of the originally anticipated 140,000 passengers/day,[21] ridership is expected to rise to 170,000/day by the end of 2010. When the Green Line opened on 9 September 2011, ridership on the Red Line was noted as 180,000/day, with the new line expected to add as much as 120,000/day to the network.

One issue for the new system will be how to reliably and comfortably get riders to their final destination if it is not located at a metro station. The RTA has changed and added "feeder bus routes" which act as shuttle services to and from major locations in and around the station area. There are bus and taxi laybys constructed as well as drop off zones at each station for ease of passenger access.

In addition 268 km of light rail lines are also planned, these will serve as feeders to the Dubai Metro. The Al Sufouh Tramway is one of the light rail plans.

 LINES

The first two lines of the Dubai Metro will have 70 kilometres (43 mi) of lines, and 47 stations (including nine underground stations).
The Roads and Transport Authority's masterplan includes 320 km of metro lines up to 2020 to cater to the expected 3.3 million population of the city. There are plans for 268 km of light rail tracks to act as a feeder system for the Metro. The fate of this entire network – which would reportedly be divided into Yellow, Orange, Magenta and Black lines – is now dependent on an economic recovery and private investment.

LIST OF STATIONS

Dubai Metro is composed of at-grade (G) elevated Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 (T1, T2 and T3, respectively) underground stations (U) and underground transfer station types (UT). Type 1 is the regular at-grade concourse station, Type 2 is a regular elevated concourse station, and Type 3 is an elevated special track station with an extra track to hold a non operational train. Underground transfer stations will be accommodating both the Red and Green lines for easy transfers.

Besides these differences, there are four themes used in the interiors of the stations: earth, water, fire and air. Earth stations have a tan-brown colour effects; water has blue-white colour effects; fire has orange-red colour effects; and the air has green colour effects.
Red Line:
Rashidiya Station (Depot)
Emirates Airlines Station
Airport Terminal 3 Station – For all Emirates Flights
Airport Terminal 1 Station – For all Non-Emirates Flights
Al Garhoud Station (GGICO station)
Deira City Centre Station
Al Rigga Station
Union Station (Interchange, connecting with Green Line)
Khalid bin Al Waleed Station (Interchange, connecting with Green Line)
Al Karama Station
Al Jafiliya Station
World Trade Centre Station
Emirates Towers Station
Financial Centre Station
Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall Station
Business Bay Station
Noor Islamic Bank Station (Al Quoz)
First Gulf Bank Station
Mall of the Emirates Station
Sharaf DG Station
Dubai Internet City Station
Nakheel Station
Dubai Marina Station
Jumeirah Lakes Towers Free Zone Station
Nakheel Harbor and Towers Station
Ibn Battuta Station
Energy Station
Jebel Ali Industrial Station
Jebel Ali / Jafza Station
The main depot for the trains will be at Rashidiya just before the Rashidiya Station, while an auxiliary depot is located at Jebel Ali Port.
Green Line:[37]
Etisalat Station (T3)
Al Qusais 1 Station (T2)
Dubai Airport Free Zone Station (T2)
Al Nahda Station (T2)
Stadium Station (T2)
Al Quiadah Station (T2)
Abu Hail Station (T2)
Abu Baker Al Siddique Station (T2)
Salah Al Din Station (U)
Union Station (UT, connecting to Red Line)
Baniyas Square Station (U)
Palm Deira Station (U)
Al Ras Station (U)
Al Ghubaiba Station (U)
Saeediya Station (U)
Khalid Bin Al Waleed Station (UT, connecting to Red Line)
Oud Metha Station (T2)
Health Care City Station (T2)
Al Jedaf 1 Station (T2)
Creek Station (T2)
The train depot is located at Al Qusais just before the Al Qusais 2 Station.

Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum  (born 14 November 1982), is the Crown Prince of Dubai, and second eldest son of HH Emir Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum. He is popularly known as Fazza, the name under which he publishes his poetry.

Education

Sheikh Hamdan began his schooling in Dubai at the Rashid School For Boys and then at the Dubai School of Government. He then continued his studies in the UK where he graduated from Sandhurst and later attended the London School of Economics, but did not graduate.

Roles and Positions

On 1 February 2008, Sheikh Hamdan was named as the Hereditary Prince of Dubai. As the new Hereditary Prince, he has recently appointed new key personal and financial advisors such as a global economist and a hedge fund tycoon from HN Capital LLP. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council in September 2006. He also is the head of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Entrepreneurs, and resides on the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Autism Centre.

Sport

He is famous as a horse rider, and dives in Al Fujairah. He is also a semi-professional skydiver.

Personal life and family

Sheikh Hamdan is one of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's 22 children. The position of the Emir of Dubai is considered consistant with the position of the head of the House of Al-Falasi. He is known for both his poetry and as a horse rider. His poems are mainly romantic, patriotic and about his family. He publishes his poems under the name Fazza . Sheikh Hamdan also has a passion for camels, cars and skydiving.

World Tallest Tower Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa

BURJ KHALIFA'S GRAND VISION

World's tallest building. A living wonder. Stunning work of art. Incomparable feat of engineering. Burj Khalifa is all that. In concept and execution, Burj Khalifa has no peer.

More than just the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa is an unprecedented example of international cooperation, symbolic beacon of progress, and an emblem of the new, dynamic and prosperous Middle East.

It is also tangible proof of Dubai's growing role in a changing world. In fewer than 30 years, this city has transformed itself from a regional centre to a global one. This success was not based on oil reserves, but on reserves of human talent, ingenuity and initiative. Burj Khalifa embodies that vision.

Mr Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said: "Burj Khalifa goes beyond its imposing physical specifications. In Burj Khalifa, we see the triumph of Dubai's vision of attaining the seemingly impossible and setting new benchmarks. It is a source of inspiration for every one of us in Emaar. The project is a declaration of the emirate's capabilities and of the resolve of its leaders and people to work hand in hand on truly awe-inspiring projects.  

Emaar had but one inspiration, the unflagging enthusiasm set in motion by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who inspires us to reach for the stars.

Bringing Burj Khalifa to life required a combination of visionary ideals and solid science. In the process, the project amassed an awe-inspiring number of facts, figures, and statistics.

World Records

At over 828 metres (2,716.5 feet) and more than 160 stories, Burj Khalifa holds the following records:

•  Tallest building in the world

•  Tallest free-standing structure in the world

•  Highest number of stories in the world

•  Highest occupied floor in the world

•  Highest outdoor observation deck in the world

•  Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world

•  Tallest service elevator in the world 

Tallest of the Supertall

Not only is Burj Khalifa the world’s tallest building, it has also broken two other impressive records: tallest structure, previously held by the KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, and tallest free-standing structure, previously held by Toronto’s CN Tower. The Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has established 3 criteria to determine what makes a tall building tall. Burj Khalifa wins by far in all three categories.  

Height to architectural top

Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the architectural top of the building. This includes spires, but does not include antennae, signage, flagpoles or other functional-technical equipment. This measurement is the most widely used and is used to define the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat rankings of the Tallest Buildings in the World.

             

Highest occupied floor

Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest continually occupied floor within the building. Maintenance areas are not included.

           

Height to tip

Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest point of the building, irrespective of material or function of the highest element. This includes antennae, flagpoles, signage and other functional-technical equipment.

'AT THE TOP' - BURJ KHALIFA'S OBSERVATION DECK

The high point of any Khalifa experience is the view from At The Top, Burj Khalifa's observation deck. Located on level 124 of the world's tallest tower, this observatory is destined to be the highlight of any visit to the Middle East.

The journey begins in the lower ground level of The Dubai Mall. Throughout the journey to the top, visitors are entertained by a multi-media presentation of the exotic history of Dubai and the marvel of Burj Khalifa.

Take home a lasting memento of your At The Top experience. Shop at either of two At The Top boutiques: on Level 124 for ticket holders, or the publicly accessible boutique on the lower ground level of The Dubai Mall.

OPENING CEREMONY VIDEO 

Economy Of Dubai

Economy Of Dubai

Dubai's gross domestic product as of 2008 was US $82.11 billion. Although Dubai's economy was built on the back of the oil industry, revenues from oil and natural gas currently account for less than 7% of the emirate's revenues. It is estimated that Dubai produces 50,000 to 70,000 barrels (11,000 m3) of oil a day and substantial quantities of gas from offshore fields. The emirate's share in UAE's gas revenues is about 2%. Dubai's oil reserves have diminished significantly and are expected to be exhausted in 20 years. Real estate and construction (22.6%),[11] trade (16%), entrepôt (15%) and financial services (11%) are the largest contributors to Dubai's economy. Dubai's top exporting destinations include India (US$ 5.8 billion), Switzerland (US$ 2.37 billion) and Saudi Arabia (US$ 0.57 billion). Dubai's top re-exporting destinations include India (US$ 6.53 billion), Iran (US$ 5.8 billion) and Iraq (US$ 2.8 billion). The emirate's top import sources are India (US$ 12.55 billion), China (US$ 11.52 billion) and the United States (US$ 7.57 billion). As of 2009 India was Dubai's largest trade partner.

Historically, Dubai and its twin across the Dubai creek, Deira (independent of Dubai City at that time), were important ports of call for Western manufacturers. Most of the new city's banking and financial centres were headquartered in the port area. Dubai maintained its importance as a trade route through the 1970s and 1980s. Dubai has a free trade in gold and, until the 1990s, was the hub of a "brisk smuggling trade" of gold ingots to India, where gold import was restricted. Dubai's Jebel Ali port, constructed in the 1970s, has the largest man-made harbour in the world and was ranked seventh globally for the volume of container traffic it supports. Dubai is also a hub for service industries such as information technology and finance, with industry-specific free zones throughout the city. Dubai Internet City, combined with Dubai Media City as part of TECOM (Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority) is one such enclave whose members include IT firms such as Hewlett-Packard, EMC Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Microsoft, and IBM, and media organisations such as MBC, CNN, BBC, Reuters, Sky News and AP.
The government's decision to diversify from a trade-based, oil-reliant economy to one that is service and tourism-oriented made property more valuable, resulting in the property appreciation from 2004–2006. A longer-term assessment of Dubai's property market, however, showed depreciation; some properties lost as much as 64% of their value from 2001 to November 2008. The large scale real estate development projects have led to the construction of some of the tallest skyscrapers and largest projects in the world such as the Emirates Towers, the Burj Khalifa, the Palm Islands and the world's fourth tallest, and most expensive hotel, the Burj Al Arab. The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) was established in March 2000 as a secondary market for trading securities and bonds, both local and foreign. As of fourth quarter 2006, its trading volume stood at about 400 billion shares, worth $95 billion in total. The DFM had a market capitalisation of about $87 billion. The other Dubai-based stock exchange is NASDAQ Dubai, which is the international stock exchange in the Middle East. Its unique market enables a range of companies, including UAE and regional small and medium-sized enterprises, to trade on an exchange with an international brand name, with easy access by both regional and international investors.
Dubai's property market experienced a major downturn in 2008 and 2009 as a result of the slowing economic climate. Mohammed al-Abbar, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar told the international press in December 2008 that Emaar had credits of $70 billion and the state of Dubai additional $10 billion while holding estimated $350 billion in real estate assets. By early 2009, the situation had worsened with the global economic crisis taking a heavy toll on property values, construction and employment. This has had a major impact on property investors in the region, some of whom are unable to release funds from investments made in property developments. One such example of this is the Vue De Lac development, which was featured in a British ITV1 documentary Homes from Hell in 2010. As of February 2009 Dubai's foreign debt was estimated at approximately $80 billion, although this is a tiny fraction of the sovereign debt worldwide.
Dubai is also known as City of Gold, a major part of economy based on Gold trades in Dubai, Dubai's total gold trading volumes in H1 2011 reached 580 tonnes (average price US$1,455)
A City Mayors survey rated Dubai as 44th among the world's best financial cities in 2007, while another report by City Mayors indicated that Dubai was the world's 33rd richest city in 2009, in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). Dubai is also an international financial centre and has been ranked 37th within the top 50 global financial cities as surveyed by the MasterCard Worldwide Centres of Commerce Index (2007), and 1st within the Middle East.

Dubai Governance and politics

Governance and politics

Dubai's government operates within the framework of a constitutional monarchy, and has been ruled by the Al Maktoum family since 1833. The current ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is also the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and member of the Supreme Council of the Union (SCU). Dubai appoints eight members in two-term periods to the Federal National Council (FNC) of the UAE, the supreme federal legislative body.

The Dubai Municipality (DM) was established by the then ruler of Dubai, Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum in 1954 for purposes of city planning, citizen services and upkeep of local facilities. DM is chaired by Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai and comprises several departments such as the Roads Department, Planning and Survey Department, Environment and Public Health Department and Financial Affairs Department. In 2001, Dubai Municipality embarked on an e-Government project with the intention of providing 40 of its city services through its web portal, dubai.ae. Thirteen such services were launched by October 2001, while several other services were expected to be operational in the future. Dubai Municipality is also in charge of the city's sanitation and sewage infrastructure.

Dubai History

Dubai History

 stone tools have been found at many sites, little is known about the UAE's early inhabitants as only a few settlements have been found. Many ancient towns in the area were trading centers between the Eastern and Western worlds. The remnants of an ancient mangrove swamp, dated at 7,000 BC, were discovered during the construction of sewer lines near Dubai Internet City. The area was covered with sand about 5,000 years ago as the coast retreated inland, becoming a part of the city's present coastline. Pre Islamic ceramics have been found from the 3rd and 4th century. Prior to Islam, the people in this region worshiped Bajir (or Bajar). The Byzantine (Greek) and Sassanian (Persian) empires constituted the great powers of the period, with the Sassanians controlling much of the region. After the spread of Islam in the area, the Umayyad Caliph, of the eastern Islamic world, invaded south-east Arabia and drove out the Sassanians. Excavations by the Dubai Museum in the region of Al-Jumayra (Jumeirah) found several artifacts from the Umayyad period.

Alras Deira Mid

Al Fahidi Fort, built in 1799, is the oldest existing building in Dubai – now part of the Dubai Museum

The earliest recorded mention of Dubai is in 1095, in the "Book of Geography" by the Andalusian-Arab geographer Abu Abdullah al-Bakri. The Venetian pearl merchant Gaspero Balbi visited the area in 1580 and mentioned Dubai (Dibei) for its pearling industry. Since 1799, there has been a settlement known as Dubai town. In the early 19th century, the Al Abu Falasa clan (House of Al-Falasi) of Bani Yas clan established Dubai, which remained a dependent of Abu Dhabi until 1833. On 8 January 1820, the sheikh of Dubai and other sheikhs in the region signed the "General Maritime Peace Treaty" with the British government. In 1833, following tribal feuding, the Al Maktoum dynasty (also descendants of the House of Al-Falasi) of the Bani Yas tribe left their ancestral home of the Liwa Oasis, South-west of the settlement of Abu Dhabi and quickly took over Dubai from the Abu Fasala clan without resistance.

The Al Ras district in Deira, Dubai in the 1960s

Dubai came under the protection of the United Kingdom by the "Exclusive Agreement" of 1892, in which the UK agreed to protect Dubai against the Ottoman Empire. Two catastrophes struck the town during the 1800s. First, in 1841, a smallpox epidemic broke out in the Bur Dubai locality, forcing residents to relocate east to Deira. Then, in 1894, fire swept through Deira, burning down most homes.[25] However, the town's geographical location continued to attract traders and merchants from around the region. The emir of Dubai was keen to attract foreign traders and lowered trade tax brackets, which lured traders away from Sharjah and Bandar Lengeh, the region's main trade hubs at the time. Persian merchants naturally looked across to the Arab shore of the Persian Gulf finally making their homes in Dubai. They continued to trade with Lingah, however, as do many of the dhows in Dubai Creek today, and they named their district Bastakiya, after the Bastak region in southern Persia.

Dubai's geographical proximity to Iran made it an important trade location. The town of Dubai was an important port of call for foreign tradesmen, chiefly those from Iran, many of whom eventually settled in the town. By the beginning of the 20th century, it was an important port. Dubai was known for its pearl exports until the 1930s; the pearl trade was damaged irreparably by World War I, and later on by the Great Depression in the 1930s. With the collapse of the pearling industry, Dubai fell into a deep depression and many residents starved or migrated to other parts of the Persian Gulf.

In the early days since its inception, Dubai was constantly at odds with Abu Dhabi. In 1947, a border dispute between Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the northern sector of their mutual border, escalated into war. Arbitration by the British and the creation of a buffer frontier running south eastwards from the coast at Ras Hasian resulted in a temporary cessation of hostilities. Electricity, telephone services, and an airport were established in Dubai in the 1950s, when the British moved their local administrative offices there from Sharjah. After years of exploration following large finds in neighboring Abu Dhabi, oil was eventually discovered in Dubai in 1966, albeit in far smaller quantities. This led the emirate to grant concessions to international oil companies, thus igniting a massive influx of foreign workers, mainly Indians and Pakistanis. Between 1968 and 1975 the city's population grew by over 300%.

On 2 December 1971 Dubai, together with Abu Dhabi and five other emirates, formed the United Arab Emirates after the former protector, Britain, left the Persian Gulf in 1971. In 1973, Dubai joined the other emirates to adopt a uniform currency: the UAE dirham. Qatar and Bahrain chose to remain independent nations. In 1973, the monetary union with Qatar was dissolved and the UAE Dirham was introduced throughout the Emirates.

During the 1970s, Dubai continued to grow from revenues generated from oil and trade, even as the city saw an influx of immigrants fleeing the Lebanese civil war. Border disputes between the emirates continued even after the formation of the UAE; it was only in 1979 that a formal compromise was reached that ended hostilities. The Jebel Ali port was established in 1979. Jafza (Jebel Ali Free Zone) was built around the port in 1985 to provide foreign companies unrestricted import of labor and export capital.

The Gulf War of 1990 had a negative financial effect on the city, as depositors withdrew their money and traders withdrew their trade, but subsequently the city recovered in a changing political climate and thrived. But later in the 1990s, many foreign trading communities—first from Kuwait, during the Gulf War, and later from Bahrain, during the Shia unrest—moved their businesses to Dubai.Dubai provided refueling bases to allied forces at the Jebel Ali Free Zone during the Gulf War, and again during the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. Large increases in oil prices after the Gulf War encouraged Dubai to continue to focus on free trade and tourism.

Dubai History

LIVE LONG DUBAI