New Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum declares his vision to create a free port and attract foreign traders to the region. A number of barriers are removed such as customs fees and licenses for vessels, a five per cent tax on trade is scrapped, and over 200 Dubai-registered boats and 3,000 merchants are exempted from further tariffs. Merchants, craftsman and pearlers flock to the emirate; in 1902, India shifts its trade to Dubai when Teheran introduces taxes on its merchants. A new souk, the Bastakiya – named after the Iranian town of Bastak – is predominantly filled with traders from Iran.
Celebrating 40 years of the UAE
Dubai celebrates the 40th anniversary of the
United Arab Emirates
2nd December 2011 is the 40th anniversary of the UAE. In the life of an individual, 40 years is a long time and a key milestone. Yet 40 years makes this one of the youngest countries on the planet. The rapid development of the UAE means that this is a place relentlessly looking to the future.
Birthdays, however, are a time for reflection. As former UAE President, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan once said: “He who does not know his past cannot make the best of his present and future”. Here we look back over the first 40 years of the UAE, through the milestones of one of its emirates, Dubai.
Our Dubai
Throughout its history, Dubai has welcomed residents from all corners of the planet. Vision.ae speaks to a selection for their take on the emirate which has shaped them and whose destiny, in turn, they have helped shape
A unique symbiosis exists between Dubai and its expat population. Representing over 80 per cent of the emirate’s inhabitants, this melting pot of individuals, who hail from Europe, the Americas, China, the Indian Subcontinent – and everywhere else in between – have, with their Emirati counterparts, had their own significant part to play in Dubai’s rapid development.
Speak to the city’s international gallery curators, its taxi drivers, restaurateurs, architects, cleaning contractors and media executives, and a common refrain repeats time and time again – the sense that they have a genuine stake in this emirate that they now call home.
As Dubai celebrates the UAE’s 40th anniversary, we caught up with a handful to find out about ‘their’ Dubai…
Nabil Sherif
Architect
From: Egypt
Says: ‘Here, everyone is equal, no matter what their background’
One of Dubai’s brightest young architects, Nabil Sherif has an Egyptian father and a mother from Madeira.
Raised a Muslim with what he calls a “mixed culture”, it was the way of life that attracted him to Dubai – “a place in between Europe and Egypt, which offered opportunity aplenty in a Middle Eastern cultural setting.
“I wanted to set up on my own and Dubai seemed ideal. No other country in the Middle East caters for the way of life I had become used to, but still allows newcomers an opportunity. Here, everyone is equal no matter what their background, and you don’t have to be part of the local culture to succeed.”
Today, Sherif’s NGS Architects is growing fast from its base at the Jumeirah Lakes Towers freezone.
Image: Abe Peñamante
Sarah Kassem
Hotel housekeeper
From: Britain
Says: ‘Here we have room to breathe’
After three years in the emirate, Sarah Kassem and her husband left Dubai in 2010 to return to the UK following the birth of their child. “We felt too far from home,” she says.
But they missed Dubai, so when Jumeirah headhunted her to become the new Executive Housekeeper at the luxury hotel group’s new Zabeel Saray resort on The Palm Jumeirah, they rushed back.
“I missed our friends here in Dubai,” she says. “And together with the space, weather, and quality of life, it is a great place for a small child. Here, we know our neighbours, the safety is key for me, it’s an outdoor life and we have room to breathe… Dubai really grows on you.”
And she loves her new job. “I was so proud of my team recently,” she says, highlighting one day where the hotel counted out 300 departures, and counted in another 300 arrivals. “Every room was done by 6pm. It’s the best aspect of my role, when everything gets done, and everyone is happy. A happy team is the key to doing a great job.”
Umair Ahmed
Cleaning and painting services company owner
From: Pakistan
Says: ‘It’s safe and secure here all of the time’
Thirty-four-year-old Umair Ahmed moved to Dubai from Kashmir, Pakistan, four years ago. He runs a cleaning and painting services company, Emirates Star.
“It’s safe and secure here all of the time, there are plenty of opportunities for business, and I like the multi-cultural society. You meet people from all over the world.
“It’s also important for me that Dubai is centrally located, as I have relatives and friends from as far away as South Asia and Europe. It’s really good that they can travel here easily, and without any visa issues.”
Dwayne Cheer
Chef
From: New Zealand
Says: ‘Time here seems to go faster’
442m up in the sky, on the 122nd floor of Burj Khalifa, the Executive Chef of the tower’s signature restaurant, At.mosphere, can watch the sun rise in the morning from one side of his kitchen, and set on the other. “It’s an incredible view,” says Kiwi Dwayne Cheer.
Cheer has lived in Dubai for five years, working first for One & Only at The Royal Mirage, before moving on to The Address, first at the Downtown hotel, and then at The Address Dubai Mall. He moved to At.mosphere for the restaurant’s opening.
“I have a brand new kitchen, and free range with the menu. I can buy wild sea bass from France, or the best foie gras. For a chef, being allowed to buy the best means there is no better playground!”
Dubai is now very much home to Dwayne, his wife, and their six-month-old daughter who was born here. “I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. The Dubai vibe is unique. Time here seems to go faster.”
Ali Borhani
Business consultancy CEO
From: Iran/Canada
Says: ‘Our consumption is low but our contribution is limitless’
Ali Borhani arrived in Dubai five years ago. This year he’s 40, a birthday he celebrates with the UAE.
Born in Iran, but a long-time resident of Canada, a year ago he made the break to open his own consultancy in Dubai, Incubeemea, which helps international companies negotiate the Middle East marketplace.
Dubai is all about “POTENTIAL” he says: “Playful, Optimistic, Thriving, ENTerprising, Internationalised, Accepting, and with a fabulous Location.”
Renu Ahuja
Administration and HR manager
From: India
Says: ‘Dubai has made my children well-rounded, confident youngsters’
Renu Ahuja arrived in Dubai from Mumbai in 1988. “I set out with mixed feelings: excitement at my first journey outside India, and fear of the unknown. What would life in the Middle East be like for a young woman?
“Looking back, the move was one of the best decisions of my life – an opportunity to better the lives of me and my family.”
Renu works as Administration and HR Manager of Victory Team Establishment, which runs Dubai’s Class One Powerboating team, and World Champions, Victory Team, as well as other world-beaters in Jetski, Xcat and Rallying.
“I started work with government and today, 24 years later, I still work for a government body. Emiratis are some of the best bosses.
“Dubai has become home. I have delivered two children here, under the care of really good doctors, and raised them in this wonderful city, which is such a melting pot of nationalities and cultures. It has gone a long way towards making them well-rounded, confident youngsters, ready to face the challenges of a competitive world.”
