This chapter includes the following articles.
Country Profile
Continued recovery from the effects of the 2008 global financial crisis has set Dubai on a robust growth path moving forward. Dubai’s population stood at 2.27m as of mid-2014, and as of the end of 2012, Emiratis made up around 11% of the population, while expatriates accounted for the remaining 89%. The emirate is pushing ahead with efforts to develop sharia-compliant industries in the region, with plans for support services, start-up incubators and halal clusters supporting a positive mid-term growth forecast. In 2014 Dubai reinforced its reputation for ground-breaking initiatives with the launch of Dubai Smart City, a plan designed to make it a leading, global smart city. Elsewhere, strengthening GCC-Asia relations are expected to result in the expansion of trade links between the two regions.
This chapter contains a viewpoint from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and interviews with Abdul Latif Al Zayani, Secretary-General, GCC; and Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai Expo 2020 Preparatory Higher Committee.
