Get star struck: Gauhar khan at Le Duplex restaurant in Dubai

Writer: Marium Siddiqui

Ravishing Gauhar Khan has set her foot in Dubai to launch for the eagerly awaited Italian restaurant in Dubai-Le Duplex. The popular reality TV star has proved her acting mettle in Bollywood via a number of movies and shows, her ultimate shot to fame came by bagging the winners trophy in Big Boss 7.
  Le Duplex situated in Jumeirah has a varied menu as a restaurant, cafe and sheesha place. The casual ambiance and their contemporary artsy interior settings are great for a relaxing and spending quality time.
With Gauhar hosting the party on April 3rd, serving her signature dishes especially for the evening could be a day people will not forget.

They say to enjoy you need a good place and good people around you. 
Since Dining is more than eating out. Le Duplex with Gauhar Khan is definitely worth a visit.

For Booking tables contact 0567129335 or 0566084004, or email at leduplex1@gmail.com

Will Smith and Tyrese skydive with Crown Prince of Dubai

For Tyrese’s 35th birthday, longtime friend and fellow entertainer Will Smith took him on a trip to the United Arab Emirates to skydive with the Crown Prince of Dubai.

Smith made arrangements for them spend time with Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince, during their trip.

The trio went indoor skydiving, took a helicopter ride with breathtaking views of the desert city and even went on a ride through the desert to see the Prince’s rare animals.

UAE realty trade: Return on investments growing

Dubai’s real estate sector is on a very strong growth platform and emirate’s eMart, the new online portal for real estate transactions, attracted 29,000 visitors including 500 from Saudi Arabia.

The one-month old portal has attracted more than 150 real estate firms, 230 investors and more than 1,300 property units with a combined value of AED139 million.

“eMart, which was launched in November has already exceeded all expectations,” says Sultan Butti bin Mejren, director-general of Dubai Land Department.

“This shows the portal’s popularity as an all-in-one hub for lucrative property investments. Visitors whom we are attracting to eMart represent a cross-section of various nationalities: over 20,000 Emiratis, more than 2,500 Americans, 700 Britons and 500 Saudis. There is also growing interest from Indian, Pakistani, Kuwaiti, Qatari, French, German, Russian, Canadian and Japanese buyers and sellers, among many others,” Bin Mejren added.

The total value of property offered for direct sales exceeded AED130 million. eMart also conducted its first e-auction, with transactions quickly passing the AED75 million barrier.

A study by Tasweek Real Estate Development and Marketing, meanwhile, says that the UAE real estate market is set to witness amazing return on investments between 9 percent and 12 percent per annum, which will serve as a major magnet for local and international investors.

The study also revealed that the contribution of the UAE real estate sector to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would touch AED 111.4 billion by the end of 2013, which is expected to further surge to AED 118 billion by the end of 2014. The sector’s contribution to GDP was AED108.2 billion in 2012 and AED 99 billion in 2009.

“2014 will mark a major step-change in the growth of the UAE real estate sector, specially that world economic recovery started with Euro zone comeback and US housing growth pushing the mortgage lending and interest increase all of which will become more robust and sustainable,” said Masood Al-Awar, CEO of Tasweek Real Estate Development and Marketing.

“The prospects are good for the UAE’s endured property market rally — Abu Dhabi’s up-tempo market and Dubai’s return as a preferred global real estate hub provide sufficient boosts to maintain momentum through next year,” he said.

The Dubai market, the second most sought-after property destination after Hong Kong, increased by over 10 percent since the beginning of 2013, driven by the strong governmental support and improving confidence in the market amidst political instability in the region, the study noted.

The residential rental market would focus around Downtown Burj, Old Town, Dubai Marina, DIFC and Silicon Oasis neighborhoods, while those keen on buying residential units would eye developments in Downtown Burj, Dubai Marina, DIFC, Business Bay, Jumeirah Lake Towers and Greens, among other areas.

Offices leasing market witnessed slower activity in Dubai, while prices increased in the prime locations and the new business areas such as the Sheikh Zayed Road in the midst of increasing investor demand, the report opined, with rentals focusing on Dubai Marina, DIFC and TECOM among the preferred destinations.

However, according to propertyfinder.ae, Dubai Marina topped the list of Dubai’s most searched locations to rent property in.

Other top 10 most searched rental locations in Dubai are: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, The Springs, Dubai Sports City, Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubailand, Jumeirah Beach Residence and International City.

The Tasweek study emphasizes positive growth for the Abu Dhabi real estate, with price stabilization and recovery in select areas — driven by the unveiling of mega projects such as the AED246 billion developments in the Western Region, which will positively impact the sector.

The residential and retail rental values in Abu Dhabi are also set to grow exponentially amidst the decision of the Executive Council to disengage itself from the annual rental cap in November 2013, the study said.

Since the real-estate business started to boom, major banks began to ink agreements with builders. On Tuesday, Ajman Bank has entered into a strategic agreement with Meydan Sobha Group to provide its customers financing for villas located in Mohammed Bin Rashid City — District One.

Al Habtoor says eyeing Dubai Expo 2020 projects

Dubai conglomerate Al Habtoor Group is the latest developer to make public interest in projects around Expo 2020 with CEO Mohammed Al Habtoor saying it would look at development deals.

Al Habtoor, who is also vice-chairman of the group, said after the opening of the Waldorf Astoria Dubai on the Palm Jumeirah next week, it had three hotels under construction in Dubai – St Regis, W and Westin – which were expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

He said after that, it would look at opportunities around Expo2020.

“We are building another 1,600 rooms on Sheikh Zayed Road, which is there in the heart of Dubai, so I think that also will help for the growth,” he said.

“2020, that’s five years later, so between 2015 and 2020 we might have some agreement with the government to build more.”

Al Habtoor suggested development opportunities could be “around the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Gardens”.

The gardens, which will form part of the mammoth Mohammed bin Rashid City project, were first announced in 2008 as a $54.4bn parks project stretching 82 sqkm and to be developed by Dubai Properties.

Located between Al Khail Road and Emirates Road, the idea was for a community of 250,000 people with almost three quarters of the total area - roughly 60 sqkm  - dedicated to green space.

“They will require also some development there,” Al Habtoor said of that area. “We might agree on something, but so far we’re concentrating on what we have.”

Emaar Properties last week said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai World Central to develop an integrated urban centre and golf destination at the home of the Expo 2020 site.

The project is the first of the key infrastructure development projects to be announced following the UAE's winning of the World Expo 2020 hosting bid.

The development will be spread over an area of 13.63 sqm with the first phase of the project to include a golf-course villa community, several hotels, a high-end shopping mall, leisure attractions, and a business hub that promotes youth entrepreneurship.

By Beatrice Thomas

Dubai Silicon Oasis The First Free Zone To Offer Free Wi-Fi Throughout Hi-tech Park

Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the regulatory body for Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with EmiratesWi-Fi for the implementation of wireless internet throughout the integrated free zone technology park.

The move marks the free zone's first step towards turning Dubai Silicon Oasis into a smart city in accordance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. As a key player in realizing the leadership's vision of shaping Dubai into a smart city, DSO is working towards integrating best innovative solutions that facilitate the transformation.

The agreement was signed at the DSO headquarters by Eng. Muammar Al Katheeri, Executive Vice-President of Engineering Management at DSOA, and Eng. Maher Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer, EmiratesWifi.

Under DSOA's agreement with EmiratesWifi, the project will be implemented in two phases. Phase one will ensure the deployment in the commercial buildings, facilities and headquarters of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority by January 2014. Following the completion of the second phase in Q2 2014, DSO will become the first free zone in Dubai to deploy 24/7 free wireless internet throughout the 7.2 square kilometers technology park.

The MoU mandates EmiratesWifi to install, commission, and maintain the wireless infrastructure and access points, as well as provide support with software solutions for control over the bandwidth of the service that will cover all public areas in Dubai Silicon Oasis.

Eng. Muammar Al Katheeri, Executive Vice-President of Engineering Management at DSOA, said: 'It is essential that a free zone such as Dubai Silicon Oasis plays a leading role in contributing towards the vision of our leadership. DSO's state-of-the-art infrastructure offers an advantage that facilitates such integration. We are confident that EmiratesWifi will deliver the best technology solutions within the agreed timeline.'

Eng. Maher Al Zarooni said: 'We are happy to have been chosen by Dubai Silicon Oasis for this deployment. We are confident that DSO will benefit from our innovative solutions and the level of our service that will remain scalable to keep up with sophisticated technological advances and network expansion as required.'

A wholly-owned entity of the Dubai government, Dubai Silicon Oasis operates as a free zone technology park for the semiconductor, microelectronic and other high technology-based companies looking to set up their regional headquarters, as well as research and development facilities in the Middle East and North Africa region.

[Wired by: DubaiCityGuide.com - A Cyber Gear Company]

Video: Crown Prince of Dubai calling his camel and kissing her.

By:Yasmine Hamdy

               

Arabs and camels, a unique relation that goes back to ancient time. Actually If it had not been for camels “ships of the desert”, trade between nations would have been almost impossible, that’s why they are loved by almost all Arabs, naming it as ǧml meaning "beauty".Yes BEAUTY.

With intimacy that crowns any relation, purity of life reveals.

Here is a video shared on YouTube, showing His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum , The Crown Prince of Dubai calling his camel “Ammar” then kissing her showing his great passion to this lovely Ammar.

Moving house? DEWA allows online final bill application

One of the worst hassle when moving out and moving into another house has always been DEWA connection.  5 years ago, when I first moved to Dubai, I had to take a day off work to go to one of the DEWA offices  so my place could actually provide me with water and electricity – the basics of an apartment.  For those coming into Dubai now, you will love the new service !

Courtesy of DEWA

But as the society moves online and the government pushes online services, there is finally a way to get your final bill and apply for connection online without having to go anywhere.

I love how we are moving to an e-society.  The move by DEWA for sure is very much a welcome addition to other government online services such as mpay, online car registration, online payment of fines to sms parking meter.

Really glad to see the direction government services are moving towards.  Looking forward to see even more e-services !

(Souqalmal.com)

Vogue To Launch Fashion Event In Dubai The ‘Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience’ will be held on October 10 at The Dubai Mall.

By Aarti Nagraj

International fashion magazine Vogue Italia has tied up with The Dubai Mall to host a new fashion event in Dubai on October 10.

The inaugural ‘Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience,’ will showcase design collections of eight regional and international upcoming designers selected by Vogue Italia. They include: Wadah Al Hajri from Qatar, Mohammed Ashi from Kuwait, Razan Alazzouni from Saudi Arabia, Lulwa Al Amin from Bahrain, Ituen Basi from Nigeria, Simone Rocha from Ireland, Andrea Incontri from Italy and Esme Vie from Russia.

The event will be held at the Fashion Catwalk in The Dubai Mall, and will also be screened across the mall’s multimedia displays to an expected audience of over 400,000 visitors, a statement said.

Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, said: “I have been working in fashion for more than 25 years and met many designers. I can say there is true talent in the region and I am excited to see more during the mentoring sessions I will be giving in the run-up to the event.”

Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties, which operates Dubai Mall, added: “The unprecedented industry experience that awaits the participants will serve as an inspiration for the young designers, and further enable Dubai to set new trends in the global fashion scene.”

To mark the event, the Grand Atrium at The Dubai Mall will host an exhibition featuring 50 popular Vogue covers. Participating stores will also exhibit specifically created merchandise for sale.

“It’s a great honour to have been selected amongst a group of very talented young designers from around the world,” said Razan Alazzouni, the designer from Saudi Arabia. “It’s very exciting to know that my designs will be viewed globally.”

Dubai, which is seeking to become a global fashion hub by 2020, recently announced a new mega fashion development, the Dubai Design District. To be operated by TECOM Investments, the project is aimed at becoming a full-service commercial hub for design industry-related organisations.

The district will feature commercial and retail facilities for established and emerging designers, design institutes, waterfront promenade, a convention centre, event venues and related academic institutions.

Earlier this month, Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also issued a decree to set up a new Dubai Design and Fashion Council in the emirate.

The council will be tasked with creating a strategy to develop the emirate’s fashion industry and will also seek to help regional talent and support design events and initiatives.

(Gulfbusiness.com)

Only In Dubai — Surfing In An Abaya

By: Stan Ton - I Love Dubai

Although the Dubai coastline is one of the most beautiful in the world, you rarely see Emirati nationals taking advantage of its beauty. There is a huge issue of modesty in dress at all times while in the public, but these ladies are not letting their clothes prevent them from having fun in the sun. Photo Courtesy of Charles Crowell / The National. With the greatest respect to Mrs. Farah Essam Ahmad, mother-of-four.

25 mosques, $2 million donation…another gesture from UAE to Egypt

By:Yasmine Hamdy

In a series of initiatives that the United Arab Emirates offer to Egypt in this critical time, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, gave orders to build 25 mosques to be named after the 25 Egyptian soldiers who have been killed in Rafah ‘s terrorist attack.

His Highness also donated $2 million to Cairo University’s Faculty of Engineering building for restoration work and installation of equipment needed there; as it was harshly damaged by a fire during the dispersion of the sit-in at Al Nahda Square.

Source of info:WAM

Sharjah gains as Dubai real estate prices near 2008 levels

By Arab News

Dubai has benefited tremendously from the Arab Spring and its perception as a "safe haven" for refugee funds from the broader Middle East region, according to Cluttons, the global real estate company with a dedicated Middle East presence, which on Monday issued its latest market analysis in the form of The Property Report (Summer 2013).

This annual publication is timed to fall between the two existing bi-annual reports and takes stock of the year thus far, looking at the residential and commercial sectors in Dubai and Sharjah, providing insightful view on the key drivers behind the figures and offering expert opinion for the year ahead.

Furthermore, the report says, there has been a rise in domestic demand, fueled in part by favorable lending rates, which are encouraging a greater number of buyers to step into the market and also by the soaring rents, which are driving some tenants to consider the option of home ownership as a way to avoid being caught out by rising accommodation costs. As the pace of job creation accelerates, there is a marked increase in tenants seeking accommodation, particularly in well established submarkets in New Dubai. The surging demand so far this year has helped to push rental values up by 11.3 percent across Dubai during the first six months of 2013.

Steve Morgan, head of Cluttons Middle East, said: “The resounding success of Dubai residential so far this year should not come as a surprise given the magnitude of the correction recorded during the bottom of the market; we are still far off the previous peak, when growth was far more unsustainable. The acceleration in residential capital values this year has been underpinned by robust levels of job creation and a rising population, rather than being fueled by 'fly-buy’ dealers, as was the case in the past. We are yet to see a definite solution on the matter, although this is less concerning than in 2008, given the increased number of end-users in the market.”

Across the border, Sharjah’s residential market, whose successes are closely linked to Dubai’s, has seen a rise in rental values in submarkets closest to Dubai, such as Al Nadha and Al Majaz. The demand spill over phenomenon seen in the last property cycle is now being repeated and the recent introduction of a Salik Toll Gate on the Al Ittihad Road and the removal of the daily AED24 Salik cap do not appear to have dented the appetite to live in Sharjah and commute to Dubai for work. This demand has translated into a rental value increase of close to 7.1 percent across the emirate during Q2, 2013, which continues to remain popular due to the relative affordability of rents.

This positive scenario is in contrast with the aftermath of the recession when residential values plunged by 49.7 percent in Dubai, but now stand 36.9 percent above the Q2, 2009 market low.

Residential capital values have risen by close to a third during the first six months of 2013; however these still remain 31 percent below the Q3, 2008 market peak.

Surging demand so far this year has helped to push rental values up by 11.3 percent across Dubai during the first six months of 2013.

Sharjah is benefiting from demand spill from Dubai, with average rental rising by 7.1 percent in H1.

The heightened economic activity in Dubai has undoubtedly been supported by the recovery of the emirate’s real estate sector, with capital values in some residential submarkets quickly closing in on their Q3, 2008 pre-crisis peaks. During Q2 alone, villa values rose by an average of 21 percent, compared to 24.4 percent last year. Apartments on the other hand recorded capital value increases of 25.1 percent in the second quarter, almost double the corresponding 2012 figure of 13.4 percent. Overall however, values remain -31.1 percent below the previous peak suggesting that recent IMF concerns about the market overheating may prove too negative.

The increased level of job creation is translating into upward pressure on house prices and rental values, which is illustrated by the fact that capital values have risen by close to a third during the first six months of 2013; however these still remain 31 percent below the Q3, 2008 market peak. Both villas and apartments are seeing strong capital gains, with the latter having recorded price growth of 25 percent in Q2 alone, almost double the corresponding figure for 2012. In the aftermath of the recession, prices plunged by -49.7 percent, but now stand 36.9 percent above the Q2, 2009 market low.

The drivers behind the price growth do not however mirror those seen during the market peak in 2008.

Will UAE win World Expo 2020 race?

Representatives from the 167 member nations will vote to decide which city will host the World Expo 2020.

with less than 100 days to go, a team from the Dubai Expo 2020 team will focus on hosting a theme symposium in Dubai this October.

Dubai Expo 2020 is expected to attract  millions of visitors and will take place on the evening of the UAE’s 50th anniversary.

More than 270,000 jobs are expected to be created by Dubai Expo 2020.

Dubai is competing against three other candidate cities in its bid to host World Expo 2020. The other candidate cities are Sao Paulo in Brazil, Yekaterinburg in Russia and Izmir in Turkey.

(MSN)

Abu Dhabi Police warn against online 'sex traps'

By Samreen Hayat | The 971 Report

Abu Dhabi Police are warning residents against an international criminal gang luring male victims using explicit videos and then blackmailing them.

According to officials, the gang would draw men into participating in online sex chats and then record the encounters, using the footage to extort money from the victims.

The criminals record the men's activities without their knowledge and then demand a huge sum for not revealing the videos, police said.

Colonel Dr. Rashid Mohammed Borshid, Head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), warned the public against falling prey to cyber fraud and extortion, according to a statement.

The warning is part of an Abu Dhabi Police awareness campaign to combat cybercrime.

“The gang specifically targets young people, particularly males. It communicates with them via electronic applications on computers using some social media sites, including Skype. They use aliases for the girls who lure them through dubbed voices to film the male victims in sexually revealing positions," explained Colonel Borshid.

The gang used explicit images of women to tempt men to engage in sexual acts, such as undressing and posing in an indecent manner. They then posted the videos online, compelling victims to pay a sum to remove the video.

One Gulf victim forked out AED 10,000 to withdraw a clip of him engaged in sexual acts before contacting authorities.

Another victim, a married Arab architect, also filed a complaint saying he had been lured by the gang into sexual scenes.  The police statement said the man justified his involvement in the acts because his wife resides in their native country.

Colonel Borshid called on residents to be vigilant when dealing with content online and to not succumb to extortion.

"It is vitally important to notify the police when any individual falls prey to cybercrime in order to ensure the proper search and investigation operations can be carried out. This would lead to the quick identification and arrest of offenders,” he said.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque to be built in China

By:Yasmine Hamdy (MSN Arabia)

In remembrance of late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his humanitarian efforts all over the world. The Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation has stated its support for building the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in the Chinese city of Wuzhong, commemorating Emirates Humanitarian Work Day that is dedicated to the memory of the father of humanity Sheikh Zayed.

The Sheikh Zayed mosque is expected to house more than 1,000 worshippers, prayer hall, ablution areas, toilets and an imam’s residence.

The project aims to be a meeting place for people of Wuzhong where large Muslim populations exist; aiming to be a meeting ground for people to discuss religious and scientific views and an arena for modern thinking in keeping with traditional Islamic orientation.

UAE public, private sector Eid Al Fitr holidays announced

By Samreen Hayat | The 971 Report 

Government offices in the UAE will be closed from Wednesday, August 7 (Ramadan 29), for the Eid Al Fitr break, officials have announced.

Work will resume on Shawal 4, which could fall on Sunday, August 11 if Eid falls on Thursday, August 8.

However, if the first day of Eid is not determined by August 7, work will resume on Monday, August 12.

The private sector will be closed on the first and second days of Eid (Shawal 1 and 2), the UAE Ministry of Labour said, with work resuming on Shawal 3.

As Islam follows a lunar calendar, the beginning of each month is determined by the sighting of a crescent moon.

Abu Dhabi doctor issues Ramadan shisha warning

One of the UAE’s leading heart doctors has urged people to think twice about smoking shisha during Ramadan - in spite of the habit’s sociable reputation.

Dr Wael Abdulrahman Almah­meed, chief of cardiology at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi, said shisha is a popular habit at holy month gatherings, but is just as addictive and harmful as cigarettes.

Almahmeed, who is a past president of the Emirates Cardiac Society, said: “Although there is the misconception that shisha is not as harmful as a cigarette it can be just as damaging, if not more.”

He added: “Some recent data shows that techniques designed to stop people smoking cigarettes don’t work for shisha smokers. One of the reasons is that shisha smoking is more of a pastime and more of a tradition than having a cigarette.

“Shisha is addictive. Some people think it is not. Some people smoke it once a month, some people start and get addicted. Addicted people even go out of their work to quickly inhale it during the day.” A recent study - pulled together from dozens of localised surveys across the Middle East and in some western countries on shisha smoking - shows that most people believe it is less harmful and less addictive than cigarette smoking.

The main motives for smoking shisha across the world were socialising, relaxation, pleasure and entertainment. Younger people also said it is “fashionable”.

Expression of cultural identity was a specific motive for people in the Middle East to smoke it. The study, put together by several universities across the world and published in the Harm Reduction Journal, showed that in Middle Eastern society it was more acceptable for women to smoke waterpipes than cigarettes. There have been various claims that one shisha smoking session is equal to smoking between 60 and 100 cigarettes.

Shisha tobacco had an illustrated GCC health warning printed on packets for the first time this year. Further information for help to stop smoking is available via the Emirates Cardiac Society and AstraZeneca Safe@Heart website www.SafeatHeart.com.

myra@7days.ae

10 Most Influential People In The UAE

1) Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan

President of UAE

Ranked as the world’s 53rd most powerful man by Forbes, the President of  the UAE and the ruler of its wealthy capital Abu Dhabi controls 8 percent of the world's proven oil reserves and is in command of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund. With $630 billion in estimated assets, ADIA has stakes in several flagship companies including Citigroup, the Hyatt Hotels, Britain's Gatwick airport and the New York’s Chrysler Building, which was recently purchased for $800 million. Sheikh Khalifa holds a net worth of $15 billion and has the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, named after him.

2) Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Ruler of Dubai, Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE

Sheikh Mohammed’s leadership has turned Dubai into the region’s economic and financial hub in record time. His recently launched ‘Dubai strategic plan 2015’ aims to achieve a GDP of $108 billion by 2015. In 2007, the ‘UAE Government Strategy’ introduced by the Sheikh refurbished the government, resulting in a more effective structure. Besides having a fisted political power in the country and across the region, he has been one of the few political figures providing constant humanitarian assistance. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation was initiated by him with an endowment of $10 billion besides other multiple charity initiatives such as ‘Dubai Cares’ which has donated over $910 million to youth education initiatives in impoverished countries.

3) Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi

Minister of Foreign Trade

The first female minister in the UAE, has not only established her presence domestically but also internationally by ranking as the 92nd most powerful woman in the world. She was the former Minister of Economy and Planning before taking the Minister of Foreign Trade brief. The Sheikha’s involvement in strengthening exports with international partners makes her a vital part of the UAE’s diversification strategy. A member of the ruling family of Sharjah, she won plaudits for developing a system that slashed cargo turnaround times at Dubai airport. In 2002, she founded Tejari, the Middle East’s first business-to-business online marketplace. The minister also sits on the board of directors at the Dubai Chamber for Commerce and Industry, and is on the board at the National US Arab Chamber of Commerce.

4) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum

President of the Department of Civil Aviation, CEO of The Emirates Group 

and Chairman of Dubai World UAE is lauded by many for executing ambition into reality; a man credited for this success is Sheikh Ahmed, the President of the Department of Civil Aviation, CEO and Chairman of The Emirates Group and Chairman of Dubai World, Dubai’s investment wing. He changed the landscape of UAE’s aviation industry by transforming Emirates from a mere regional airline into the world’s largest carrier by international passenger traffic. He launched the low budget airline Fly Dubai and spearheaded the creation of airport Terminal 3, the world’s largest air terminal. The son of the former Ruler of Dubai is also the chairman of Emirates NBD, the emirate’s Supreme Fiscal Committee, the deputy chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and the head of Dubai Power and Energy Committee.

5) Mohammed Al Shaibani

Director General of The Ruler’s Court

Ranked as the most influential, non-royal official in the UAE by Wall Street Journal, Al Shaibani, is the Director General of The Ruler’s Court, the CEO of the Investment Corporation of Dubai that supervises the government’s investment portfolio, the president of the Dubai 

Office, a private management entity for the ruling family and the Chairman of Dubai Islamic Bank, UAE’s biggest Islamic bank. Al Shaibani is regarded as a close aide of the Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. His influence within the ruling family and his 

credentials make him a high-ranking figure within the political and financial scene. Al Shaibani holds a number of other key positions; he is the Vice Chairman of The Supreme Fiscal Committee of Dubai, board Member of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, The Knowledge Fund and International Humanitarian City.

6) Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim

Commander of Dubai Police

Lieutenant Tamim’s achievements and influence within the public sector and political scene is remarkable. He has been an instrumental force behind modernizing and creating a stable police force within the country through launching more than 22 different establishments such as the Dubai Police Academy, the Dubai Forensic Laboratory, the use of DNA in investigations, forming rescue teams and creating rehabilitation centre for drug addicts. Tamim, also largely credited for creating fully operational e-government departments has written several books on police work and public issues and is the beneficiary of eight prestigious awards. In 2004, he received an award for the best regional and executive personal and in 2002 he won the United Nations Award for the top Arabic figure in the fight against drugs. He was also lauded for the investigation into the assassination of a Hamas operative who was killed by a hit squad in 2010 in Dubai.

7) Mohamed Alabbar

Chairman of Emaar properties

Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records. Mohamed Alabbar, the chairman of Emaar properties, broke the record by erecting the world’s tallest building ‘Burj Khalifa’ in 2010, at a time when the regions real estate market was in turmoil. Alabbar has been a pivotal figure in shaping and positioning Dubai as the commercial and lifestyle hub of the region. He set up ‘The Dubai Mall’, which became the world’s most visited shopping and leisure destination with 54 million visitors in 2011, and launched the iconic retail trade event, Dubai Shopping Festival. Named as the Middle East Personality of the Year in 2006 by Foreign Direct Investment magazine, Alabbar is a senior aide to Dubai’s ruler. He’s power expands into Africa, where he owns a mining empire, #Africa Middle East Resources, that operates in eight African countries.

8) Khaldoun Al Mubarak

CEO of Mubadala Development Company

He is the CEO of the prestigious Mubadala Development Company, a government entity that oversees one of the emirate's largest investment funds. Since its launch in 2002, Mubadala has evolved its operations, holding over $48 billion in assets in 2011. Khaldoon, is a member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council where he is responsible for overseeing policy advice to the Chairman, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. His authority reigns beyond the business world into the sports arena as the chairman of Manchester City Football Club. He was also instrumental in bringing Formula One Grand Prix racing to Abu Dhabi. Khaldoon holds a 

number of other prominent positions, he is the Chairman of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, the Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority and Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, and Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council.

9) Yousef Al Omair Yousef

Chief Executive of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company

The CEO of the world's fourth largest oil company, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is also the head of UAE's Supreme Petroleum Council, a powerful body that is responsible for the country’s vast oil reserves. He is the longest-serving head of a state-owned oil company in the Gulf and a close aide to the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi. Al Omair belongs to one of the wealthiest families in the UAE whose businesses include diverse licenses awarded to them to import choice goods into the country besides owning large stakes in real estate, construction, petroleum and military equipment supply. The Al Omair conglomerate owns the biggest travel agency in Abu Dhabi, Al Omair Travels and Omair Automobiles, which is the sole importer of Peugeot cars into the UAE.

10) Abdulaziz Al Ghurair

Al Ghurair family patriarch and chief executive of Mashreq Bank Abdulaziz

Al Ghurair is regarded as one of the founders of the UAE's banking industry, and is the 401st richest person in the world, holding a net worth of 2.9 billion. The CEO of Mashreq Bank, the country’s fourth largest bank by asset, he was a pioneer in launching ATMs, credit cards, 

travelers cheques, consumer loans, mortgages and the widely popular Millionaire rewards-based savings program in the country. The business mogul is also on the Board of Directors of the Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Economic Council, Council of the UAE Higher 

Colleges of Technology besides holding the post of a Chairman of Masafi, RAK Petroleum and the Endowment Fund. The Al Ghurair conglomerate controls diverse holdings in real estate, cement, contracting, publishing, residential care and petrochemicals and is currently 

venturing into investing in Libya, where it already owns a majority share of the country's largest oil refinery.

By: Nazneen Akbari by MSN