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Dubai in good hands!

And it is a fitting testament to its rulers’ foresight and vision that having cemented its authority as one of the modern world’s foremost business and tourist destinations, Dubai’s economy draws only six per cent of its GDP from oil and gas. Its growth rate surpasses China and Asia’s tigers, its own economy having more than doubled since 2000.

The pace of progress has been phenomenal since the aftermath of the Opec petrodollar windfall of the ‘70s. But over the last few years, as its economy has diversified and infrastructure boosted, Dubai has literally time warped into a different zone, rivalling cities like New York in terms of number of nationalities hosted and attracted. Much of the new revolution has been the brainchild of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. And ensuring continuity of his vision, his decrees declaring Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince, and Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Deputy Ruler, have been unanimously greeted by citizens and expatriates representing all walks of life.

Shaikh Hamdan has taken after his revered father in more ways than one. Besides having spent his life in close proximity to the visionary leader, which bodes well for the continuity of government policies and social reforms, Shaikh Hamdan displays many similar characteristics like a keen interest in academia and sports alike, a disciplined undertaking of tasks assigned to him by the ruler, also a liking for the finer arts like poetry.

Tasked with handling the Dubai Executive Council, which oversees Dubai government entities, his development strategies have exhibited both the salutary Sandhurst discipline and that immaculate amalgamation of the modern with the traditional, something so necessary for Dubai’s future and perfected by his father.

Shaikh Maktoum, a Harvard scholar and Chairman of Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority, has also rightfully drawn tremendous praise for taking Dubai to international prominence in the world of international media and technology. Already the Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City and Knowledge Village speak volumes of his vision.

It bears noting that it is no small testament to Shaikh Mohammed that having raised Dubai’s stature to enviable heights, he has ensured continuity of the successful model. Above everything else, this place is a reflection of its leaders’ vision. Therefore we can all rest assured that the only way it is going for a long time is higher and higher.