The United Arab Emirates is not just all about tall skyscrapers and miles of artificial beaches created out of reclaimed land. The UAE story is also that of multiculturalism, of sound government policies that have spurred dizzyingly fast growth and a nation that development has rendered practically unrecognisable as the region just decades ago.
National Day is celebrated on 2 December every year to mark the unification of the seven emirates in 1971. Under the farsighted leadership of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the rulers of seven emirates of Abu Dhabi (the capital), Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain united to create the modern day country.
Oil was discovered in Dubai in 1969 however the speedy success of the emirate owes itself to commercial activities other than oil, which accounts for less than 1% of GDP. Dubai’s Emir, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum displayed great foresight in concentrating on Trade, Transport and Tourism. He famously said that “what is good for the merchants is good for Dubai”. The policies adopted ensured that the emirate prospered along with the people.
The rulers of the UAE have also shown great vision in exploiting the location of the UAE and in projecting it as a sort of bridge between the East and West. Whether it was investment in aviation that made Dubai the busiest airport in the world or the dredging and development of the Jebel Ali port to make it one of the largest container ports in the world, the wise and farsighted political and commercial decisions have paid rich dividends.
Other countries in the area do have a favorable geographical location. For instance cities such as Doha, Muscat and Aden are peninsular cities like Dubai but haven’t been able to capitalise on this advantage the way UAE’s rulers have.
In 2013, the population of the UAE was about 9.2 million, however the surprising thing is the fact that expats vastly outnumber the locals here. About 7.8 million people are expats while only about 1.4 million are Emirati citizens; which account for only about 15% of the population.
This planned city in Abu Dhabi is the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency and is the first car free, zero waste and zero carbon city in the world.
About 70% of university graduates in the country are women and women outnumber men 2 to 1 in government jobs as well. Women have key positions in the public sector workplace, as a result of a conscious decision to promote workplace gender balance.
Though UAE is an Islamic monarchy, it is very progressive in many ways; supporting multiculturalism and many different faiths. This is one of the reasons it has been able to progress at the rate that it has; unlike its super conservative neighbouring Saudi Arabia. While UAE has numerous stunning mosques, it has as many as 40 cathedrals and houses of worship of various other faiths.
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