Dubai Capital Of The Middle East

Dubai - From   Desert

To A Magnificent

Metropolis

T he Emirate of Dubai

  The Emirate of Dubai shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast Dubai has multiple waterholes and gorges which dot the base of the Western Al Hajar Mountains.

 

 Most of southern Dubai is covered in a vast sea of sand dunes which eventually lead to the desert known as “The Empty Quarter. Dubai is certainly the best known among the Emirates - today, it is a world-famous tourist landmark, attracting throngs of visitors on annual basis, and continues to expand. Its popularity as a holiday destination has surged in recent years, a testament to the success of the vision of the local government, who have invested heavily in turning Dubai into the tourist paradise it is today. The pristine beaches, weather and natural environment is reason enough to visit. 

 

However, it is arguably Dubai's man-made constructs which inspire most excitement. Dubai continues to challenge architectural convention, and has recently completed the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, which stands at an astonishing 828 metres.

 

Other examples of pioneering developments including the Palm Islands, which are three major commercial and residential infrastructures in the shape of palm trees. The islands will consist of 100 luxury hotels, exclusive residential beach villas, apartments, marinas, water theme parks, restaurants, hopping malls, sports facilities and health spas; they are eagerly anticipated.

 

Dubai’s Vast Accomodation

Accommodation in Dubai is vast, with a number of luxury hotels dotted all around Dubai and with all the major hotel chains represented. Hotels in Dubai are not like any other in the world. The 7 star Atlantis, The Palm is a world famous luxury resort modelled after the Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in Nassau. There is an incredible array of residential options in Dubai. Continued pushing of the boundaries of architecture and engineering has led the emirate to develop unsurpassed expertise in constructing luxurious accommodation-whether islands in the sea or oases in the desert.

 

Dubai resorts are far from scarce; with resorts such as the five stars Desert Palm Dubai which is a resort nestled amongst palm trees with beautiful guest suites and poolside villas. If you’re looking for something more authentic from your holiday in Dubai, the One & Only Royal Mirage is an attractive resort with a very Middle Eastern atmosphere, this Dubai hotel is beautifully landscaped and has a one kilometre long private beach lining the Arab Gulf. Of all the Dubai hotels the Dar Al Masyaf Madinat Jumeirah which is a magnificent tribute to Dubai heritage. 

Also known as “The Arabian Resort of Dubai,” the Madinat Jumeriah located in the heart of fashionable Jumeriah and combines the height of affluence with an overwhelming sense of tradition. As well as top seven star hotels, Dubai offers more affordable fully furnished apartments if you are looking for something more personal. The new Dubai residences of Dubail Marina and JLT have already proven popular for the next generation.

 

Dubai Shopping Capital of the Middle East

For the discerning shopper looking for a Dubai deal, Dubai is heaven on earth. Known as the “shopping capital of the Middle East", it is home to the world’s largest shopping mall, the “Dubai Mall". This is the crowning glory in a group of around 70 fully air-conditioned malls in Dubai, which attract visitors from all around. Dubai is also known as the “City of Gold”; the Gold Souq, located in Deira, has up to 250 dedicated gold retail shops.

 

Dubai’s World-class Sporting Events & Amusements

The younger generations are not short of amusement on their Dubai holidays either; there are a number of theme parks located all across Dubai; notable examples include the famous Wild Wadi Water Park, located on Jumeriah   Beach Road, and the world's largest indoor skiing arena, SkiDubai, which proves that with a little innovation, its possible to bring an authentic artic winter ski experience to hot, sunny Dubai.

 

Horse racing is a passionate pursuit of Dubai’s that combines the gloabal and the local, the modern and the traditional.    Together with the heritage sports of Camel racing and falconry, a trip to the races offers real insight into the emirate.

 

Meydan Racecourse the world’s biggest-ever grandstand and only five-star trackside hotel, Meydan is famously home every March to ths world’s richest-ever horse race, the Dubai World Cup. Racing is held a Meydan from November to March and forms a key part of Dubai’s calendar of world-famous sporting events that includes top-class golf, tennis, cricket, rugby, motorsports and watersports action.

 

Dubai’s International Cuisine

International and Arabic food is available everywhere when you’re on a Dubai holiday from small diners to hotels. All the major fast food franchises are present in Dubai and from American to Chinese to Indian; Dubai caters to everyone’s needs. Blue Elephant is regarded as one of Dubai’s finest Thai restaurants. The decor makes you feel as if you are not in Dubai but in a quaint South Eastern village.

 

A chance to sample the local cuisine, Al Qasr with its authentic Arabian style architecture and décor and the chance to dine al fresco, beside the restaurant or in a lovely garden this Lebanese restaurant is the traditional experience.

 

Shakespeare & Co is the long anticipated upscale coffee shop recently opened on the Sheikh Zayed Road, with a cosy continental atmosphere and contemporary furniture makes you feel like you’re in a coffee shop in London.

 

Dubai’s Fully Automated Metro

 

With large investment pumped into transport, Dubai has become an accessible city, with multi-lane motorways, a bus service with 140 routes and an extensive taxi system (which in Dubai is the most frequent used means of transport). The Dubai Metro is a state of the art, fully automated metro network running throughout the city. It runs both over ground and underground, and has carried 10 million passengers since opening in September 2009.

 

For international visitors, Dubai is a well-connected travel hub, with many travel options and direct routes available from most of the world's major cities. Its outstanding airport has a constant flow of inbound/outbound flights to meet your needs. Dubai International Airport is the hub for the Emirates Airline which is the national airline of Dubai, one of the busiest airports in the world and serving 101 destinations in 61 countries across six continents making Dubai very accessible from anywhere in the world. Dubai’s population has grown dramatically from its origins as a small settlement at the mouth of the creek, from the first boom in 1968 it has doubled with every decade to some 2,000,000 today.

 

With visitors flocking to Dubai all year round all inclusive cheap holidays to Dubai and even Dubai package holidays are available which can be tailored to meet your needs, even if you haven’t booked in advance and are still looking for that Dubai late deal. Dubai is a city that has taken giant strides in the past few years. On a holiday in Dubai you will discover a unique mix of old and new extremes; a modern, ever-expanding metropolis which is home to an indigenous culture steeped in history and long-observed traditions. It is a truly mesmerising blend of history and modernity, sure to captivate any traveller.

Famed for its exstraordinary natural setting and iconic man-made marvels, Dubai has become an established and essential part of the international conversation and is now recognised as an elite global city.

At its essence Dubai has always been, and will always be, the most exciting of places. Perfect beaches and year-round sunshine.   Luxurious hotels and every imaginable activity, an incredible business hub with state of art infrastructure – Dubai is a draw to peoples from all over the world.

From the creek where it all began to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, the city has grown complete – an extraordinary collection of architectural styles and purposes across parkland to business districts. From golf courses to shopping malls, residential areas and comprehensive urban imfrastructure.

Burj Khalifa the world’s tallest sundial by day its shadow marks time across Downtown Dubai. By night the world’s tallest building is an 828m beacon, an icon of Dubai and a wonder of the world. Though dwarfed by the Burj Khalifa today, Emirates Towers remain markers of the heights of luxury and icons of Dubai’s dynamic development.

The Emirate is renowned around the world for its extraordinary collection of luxury hotels, and the extraordinary lengths of which it has gone to achieve such immense levels of hospitality

Extensive gardens, sprawling swimming pools and beautiful private beaches – luxury hotels such as the Westin Dubai Beach Resort & Marina have immediate appeal even before boasting of every imaginable guest facility.

 

Dubai creek is where the emirates great story began, to this day it remains a crucial trading port for dhows working from the top of the Arabian Gulf to the far reaches of the Indian Ocean. Today the bustle of the dhows trade is reflected in more modern glass, steel and    concrete monuments to commerce. The maritime aspect has always been key to Dubai. In its modern guise, the emirate has embraced marinas and waterfront developments such as Dubai Festival City which houses a shopping mall, the five star Crowne Plaza and intercontinental hotels and an impressive selection of marina-side restaurants. Inland the creek becomes a wide, serene expanse that supports conservation reserve, parkland and golf courses.

One of Dubai’s true establishment hotels, the magnificent Grand Hyatt Dubai gazes out across Creek Park to the creek beyond.

The aerial view affords a real appreciation of the scale of Dubai’s achievements, where once there was nothing but desert a magnificent metropolis has grown.    Looking over the parkland residences of the Arabian Ranches development and across desert scrub to Sheikh Zayad Road’s iconic avenue of skyscrapers with the ocean beyond is to understand the extraordinary extent of Dubai’s progress. The very first Tower Block, the World Trade Centre, has only stood since 1978.

By night the city transforms itself.    The lights come on and the crowds come out. They come from all over the world and gather at the base of the Burj Khalifa for shopping and dining, to see the fountains and to be seen themselves.    But the best view in town has to be from on high, from the Burj Khalifa itself with its 122^nd   floor restaurant and 124^th   floor viewing deck, or from the neighbouring Address hotels.

 

Dubai’s coastline has become the ultimate playground. Embracing cutting-edge technologies, enthusiastic imagination has become world-famous reality. The Palm Jumeirah is one of a series of man-made islands that have already increased Dubai’s coastline. Still being finalised, the Palms Jebel Ali and Deira are similarly shaped as giant palm trees while the world is an archipelago in the shape of a world map. Sky high living in Jumeirah Lakes Towers represent the new, young face of Dubai.

 

Dubai’s World Class Business Environment

Dubai has emerged as a leading regional commercial hub with state-of-the art infrastructure and a world class business environment. It has now become the logical place to do business in the Middle East, providing investors with a unique and comprehensive value added platform.

Since the formation of the UAE in 1971, Dubai has transformed itself from an oil and gas dependent state to a broadly diversified economy based on international trade, banking, tourism, real estate and manufacturing.

 

Global Economic Hub

Dubai is at the centre of a region that is emerging as a major force in the global economy. Stretching from North Africa to South Asia and the Caspian to South Africa, this region comprises of 42 countries, some of which are the world’s fastest growing emerging markets.

 

Broad Based Economy

Dubai has emerged as a leading regional commercial hub with state-of-the art infrastructure and a world class business environment. It has now become the logical place to do business in the Middle East, providing investors with a unique and comprehensive value added platform.

Since the formation of the UAE in 1971, Dubai has transformed itself from an oil and gas dependent state to a broadly diversified economy based on international trade, banking, tourism, real estate and manufacturing.

Oil has played a progressively diminishing role in the Emirate’s economic profile. In 1985, the oil sector contributed to just under half of Dubai’s GDP. By 1993 that figure had fallen to 24 percent, and by 2006, to 5 percent.

 

Springboard to a vast emerging market Region

 

Dubai is at the centre of a region that is emerging as a major force in the global economy. Stretching from North Africa to South Asia and the Caspian to South Africa, this region comprises of 42 countries, some of which are the world’s fastest growing emerging markets.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), one of the most prosperous and fast-growing areas within this region, has had an average annual real GDP growth of approximately 7.8% in 2008, one of the highest in the world. The GCC is home to some of the largest Sovereign Wealth Funds, including the UAE’s Abu Dhabi Investment Council, Saudi Arabia’s SAMA Foreign Holdings and Kuwait Investment Authority.

Political & Economic Stability

Dubai is part of the UAE, which has established a reputation for being a low-crime and politically stable country. The ability of the UAE to withstand the impact of the global financial crisis demonstrates the UAE‘s financial and monetary stability.

Several steps taken by the government to promote recovery from the crisis have resulted in deposit growth and capital inflows, increased activity in the markets and a rise in indexes. Dubai’s well-developed banking system ensures extensive credit facilities and ample liquidity. The state has shown consistent commitment to business friendly and liberal economic policies.

Open & Free Economic System

Dubai’s open economic policy, minimal government control and private sector regulation have played an instrumental role in attracting vast foreign direct investment (FDI).

Businesses in Dubai do not pay direct taxes on corporate profits or personal income (except for oil companies that pay a flat rate of 55% and branches of foreign banks that pay a flat rate of 20% on net profit generated within Dubai). Customs duties are low at 4% with many exemptions. Businesses can avail of 100% repatriation of capital and profits. There are no foreign exchange controls, trade quotas or barriers. A stable exchange rate exists between the US Dollar and the UAE Dirham (US$1.00=AED 3.678). Liberal visa policies permit easy import of expatriate labour of various skill levels from almost anywhere in the world.

World Class Infrastructure.

Dubai’s policy of investing heavily in its transport, telecommunications, energy and industrial infrastructure has significantly enhanced its attractiveness to international business.

The Emirate has seven industrial areas, one business park and three highly successful specialised free zones, two world class seaports, a major international airport and cargo village, a modern highway network, state-of-the-art telecommunications, a recently launched Rapid Transit System (Dubai Metro) and reliable power and utilities, all of which deliver efficiency, flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency.

Competitive Cost Structure

Apart from a favourable tax environment, companies in Dubai can obtain significant cost advantages due to the absence of foreign exchange controls and trade barriers or quotas.

Similarly costs in other areas like import duties, labour, energy and financing are competitive by international standards. Historically high real estate costs have undergone a correction and are currently competitive.

Extensive Foreign Trade Network

Dubai boasts an extensive foreign trade network, giving the investors an extensive choice of potential global marketing outlets for a diverse portfolio of goods and services. As a city within the UAE, Dubai is also part of the world’s third-largest export and re-export centre, after Hong Kong and Singapore.

 

A Multi-cultural community of skilled Professionals

 

Expatriates comprise over 80 percent of Dubai’s population, with over 150 nationalities working and living harmoniously in a safe, almost entirely crime-free environment.

Dubai attracts a highly skilled workforce, which is absorbed by the growing number of international companies, professional service firms and financial institutions. Expatriates enjoy tax-free salaries, schools accredited to international standards, a high standard of health care and excellent recreational facilities - including eight championship golf courses.

 

A Fertile Market For Specialist Financial Services

The asset boom and the vast increase in private and institutional wealth in the region have created a huge demand for specialist financial services.

Dubai is the perfect base to target opportunities in a market that is hungry for new financial products tailored to regional investor preferences and risk requirements. International and regional players who establish themselves in Dubai now are perfectly placed to take advantage of the regional market’s vast long-term potential for financial services market growth.

 

Dubai International Financial Centre

Law & Regulations

Independent Legislative Framework Based On International Standards

DIFC operates on a unique legal and regulatory framework with a view to creating an optimal environment for financial sector growth. Such framework was achieved through a synthesis of Federal law and Dubai law which permitted DIFC to have its own civil and commercial laws modelled closely on international standards and principles of common law and tailored to the region’s unique needs.

Dubai Financial Services Authority

A World Class Regulatory Framework

One of the principal factors behind the success of DIFC is its independent risk-based regulator, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), which grants licenses and regulates the activities of financial services conducted through DIFC.

The DFSA’s regulatory regime was developed using principle-based primary legislation modelled closely on internationally accepted standards. The regulator’s mandate covers asset management, banking and credit services, securities, collective investment funds, custody and trust services, commodities futures trading, Islamic finance, insurance, an international equities exchange and an international commodities derivatives exchange.