Dubai is one of the most vibrant economies on the planet. It is the home of the world’s most luxurious hotel; the world’s tallest building, the Burj Dubai, is under construction; islands have been man-made in the form of palms and the countries of the world; there are plans to build the world’s largest airport; and a staggering 20% of the world’s tower cranes are currently in use in Dubai.
The success of this tiny desert emirate, which has a population less than that of Leeds, is a tribute to the vision of its ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Without the oil and gas reserves of its neighbours, Dubai has had to focus on trade and tourism for its growth, but Sheikh Mohammed also realised that Dubai was ideally placed to become one of the world’s leading financial hubs.
