UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
No country (UAE) or city/state (Dubai) has transformed itself more in the past half century. In 1961 Dubai did not have electricity for street lights. It wasn't until 1966 a paved road connected Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Yet for New Years 2014 Dubai hosted the world's largest fireworks display which included flares shooting of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.
The UAE is an agglomeration of tribal city states that rapidly emerged from the sand using a combination of oil, free trade, and audacious construction projects to solidify itself as both a business and tourist destination for the 21st century. The country's population increased 50% since 2005 - of the 8.2m citizens only 13% are UAE nationals; by comparison 1.9 million are Indian. 75% of the population are men; when there's a major event, like New Years, the "bachelors" have their own entrance separate from women and families.
The UAE is an agglomeration of tribal city states that rapidly emerged from the sand using a combination of oil, free trade, and audacious construction projects to solidify itself as both a business and tourist destination for the 21st century. The country's population increased 50% since 2005 - of the 8.2m citizens only 13% are UAE nationals; by comparison 1.9 million are Indian. 75% of the population are men; when there's a major event, like New Years, the "bachelors" have their own entrance separate from women and families.
COUNTRY BACKGROUND
HISTORY
Prior to 1892: Autonomous Bedouin nomads with limited periods of outside rulers (Saudi’s & Ottoman’s) due to geographic remoteness and ruggedness of region - dust storms, no water, terrible natural harbors...nobody wanted to conquer the country - UAE area population stayed at 80,000 for a millennium
1892: Exclusivity Agreement with the UK - Britain wanted to protect shipping routes to/from India and provided military support to shieks they deemed to be aligned with their economic and political goals
1971: United Kingdom grants “independence” due to limited financial resources available to defend Persian Gulf ending an exclusivity agreement signed in 1892 (lack of significant oil reserves and rise of Nasser contributed as well)
Abu Dhabi lead coalition of British Shiekdoms - Bahrain and Qatar opted not to join and started separate countries
GOVERNMENT
Absolute monarchy ruled by Federal Supreme Council consisting of the seven emirs - leaders chosen by Supreme Council but essentially hereditary: President (Abu Dhabi) and Prime Minister (Dubai)
Current President: Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Federal National Council (est. 2006) has consultative role
Most Emirates don’t mind the monarchy rule given the country's recent prosperity; neighbor Kuwait is an example of how democracy can "get in the way" of progress; Dubai citizens do not feel a need to prevent Sheik Mohammed from implementing his vision of grandeur
ECONOMY
Abu Dhabi more oil dependent than Dubai (more reserves too); oil only 3% of Dubai's economy
Dubai uses free trade, friendly visa worker process, low taxes, and other business incentives to lure established businesses and entrepreneurs to the region - when necessary created business zone - Dry Docks, Internet City, etc. - Free trade started in early 1900s when Iranians, disgruntled by high taxes looked for other ports to receive goods
Dubai's diversified economy stems from lessons learned by the collapse of the pearling industry - Dubai and UAE had been the top pearling location until Japan developed cultured pearls
Dubai wants to be financial center of middle east - fill void between Hong Kong / Singapore to Frankfurt / London
Key Events and Serendipity helped to raise Dubai's economic profile: Dredge Creek -> Iran raises tariffs; Build Dry Dock to service ships -> Iraq / Iran war lots of damaged ships; Expand Emirate Airline around 9/11 when everyone else stopped buying planes
EDUCATION
Government approves curriculum and funds education
Limited higher education which government has been aggressively seeking to address
Literacy Rate: 91%
HEALTHCARE
2.9% of GDP
High standards due to government spending
Dubai Healthcare City - joint project with Harvard Medical School
Prior to 1892: Autonomous Bedouin nomads with limited periods of outside rulers (Saudi’s & Ottoman’s) due to geographic remoteness and ruggedness of region - dust storms, no water, terrible natural harbors...nobody wanted to conquer the country - UAE area population stayed at 80,000 for a millennium
1892: Exclusivity Agreement with the UK - Britain wanted to protect shipping routes to/from India and provided military support to shieks they deemed to be aligned with their economic and political goals
1971: United Kingdom grants “independence” due to limited financial resources available to defend Persian Gulf ending an exclusivity agreement signed in 1892 (lack of significant oil reserves and rise of Nasser contributed as well)
Abu Dhabi lead coalition of British Shiekdoms - Bahrain and Qatar opted not to join and started separate countries
GOVERNMENT
Absolute monarchy ruled by Federal Supreme Council consisting of the seven emirs - leaders chosen by Supreme Council but essentially hereditary: President (Abu Dhabi) and Prime Minister (Dubai)
Current President: Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Federal National Council (est. 2006) has consultative role
Most Emirates don’t mind the monarchy rule given the country's recent prosperity; neighbor Kuwait is an example of how democracy can "get in the way" of progress; Dubai citizens do not feel a need to prevent Sheik Mohammed from implementing his vision of grandeur
ECONOMY
Abu Dhabi more oil dependent than Dubai (more reserves too); oil only 3% of Dubai's economy
Dubai uses free trade, friendly visa worker process, low taxes, and other business incentives to lure established businesses and entrepreneurs to the region - when necessary created business zone - Dry Docks, Internet City, etc. - Free trade started in early 1900s when Iranians, disgruntled by high taxes looked for other ports to receive goods
Dubai's diversified economy stems from lessons learned by the collapse of the pearling industry - Dubai and UAE had been the top pearling location until Japan developed cultured pearls
Dubai wants to be financial center of middle east - fill void between Hong Kong / Singapore to Frankfurt / London
Key Events and Serendipity helped to raise Dubai's economic profile: Dredge Creek -> Iran raises tariffs; Build Dry Dock to service ships -> Iraq / Iran war lots of damaged ships; Expand Emirate Airline around 9/11 when everyone else stopped buying planes
EDUCATION
Government approves curriculum and funds education
Limited higher education which government has been aggressively seeking to address
Literacy Rate: 91%
HEALTHCARE
2.9% of GDP
High standards due to government spending
Dubai Healthcare City - joint project with Harvard Medical School