My first day in the UAE: Arrived a Lebanese, embraced Emirati life

Dubai - Ghaleb Farha, who moved to the UAE as a young man, says the business-friendly environment of the 1960s still exists

I'm a Lebanese national who arrived in Abu Dhabi in 1969 even before the Union of the UAE. I am now a proud Emirati after almost 50 years in this wonderful country, having arrived in my late 20s, you can calculate my age.
The climate was harsh and civil infrastructure was almost non-existent then. It used to take me 10 hours to drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in part roads part sand dunes. I arrived in 1969 on an investor visa and secured the contract for Sheikh Rashid Hospital's suspended ceiling and cubicles in 1970. I tendered for it at the Rulers Office like any other contractor.
We had the same business in Beirut and so I basically extended it out into the UAE with this initial contract at the Rashid Hospital. In those days, given the small size of the population, estimated at around 50,000 in the 60s, and the late Sheikh Rashid's business friendly environment that continues today, if you had a valuable proposition it was relatively smooth. I registered my company by supplying the Dubai Municipality with a bank guarantee of Dh100,000, as an investor, without having to require a sponsor.
While the UAE has grown exponentially since then, the principles and values are the same.

Treat everyone with respect and fairly. If you are honest and respectful, everything is possible. One of the main reasons I stayed in Dubai after my first contract with Rashid Hospital, was the amazing treatment I received from this amazing man the late Sheikh Rashid, God bless his soul. In those days, if you had a significant problem, you could escalate it up to Sheikh Rashid and it would be solved in the fairest manner.
Today also, if we have issues we can escalate it up to the decision makers responsible as the country has grown and institutionalised and they have the same value system, one of fairness and respect and the appropriate solutions will emerge.
I still enjoy my work very much, across all the businesses
that I'm involved with. I am also spending a lot of time on philanthropic initiatives. I am an avid golfer and try to play daily and the rest of my time is spent with my lovely wife of almost 50 years and my children and grandchildren.
My achievements in Dubai are a product of the unique leadership that we have in this amazing country. We are blessed to have leaders who have vision with execution capabilities who genuinely care deeply about all its residents. We are lucky to live in safety with dignity and rule of law and for that I am incredibly grateful to the beloved UAE.
I have a Facebook account and I operate it myself. It is a great way for me to stay in touch with my friends and family and share moments no matter where we are in the world. My wife is also on FB but also uses Instagram and does so herself.
I have a lot of respect for the words of Said Khoury, the co-founder of Consolidated Contractors Company CC that to be successful in life it needs working hard, honesty and perseverance. The one golden rule I have always followed is always be positive. The outcome will be the same but much more enjoyable with positivity.
My advice to someone who has landed in UAE today? Get to know the Emirati people, learn the culture, learn the values of the country laid down by its forefathers and leadership, embrace them genuinely, respect the laws and customs, work hard and the rest will be a great story.
My favourite leader is His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who has ambition, compassion, vision, energy, courage and perseverance, all rolled into one person.
My favourite place is Jumeirah, I've lived here for nearly 50 years; when I'm in Jumeirah, I feel calm and at home again.
(As told to Sandhya D'Mello)

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