The UAE and Dubai defy the crisis Innovation keeps in progress although the world stands still		german

Ernst Munk visiting the opening cermony of Burj Khalifa. He stands in front of the Dubai Fountain that is illuminated by 6,600 lights and 50 coloured projectors. The world biggest Fountain is 275 m (900 ft) long and shoots water 150 m (490 ft) into the air, accompanied by a range of classical to contemporary Arabic and world music.

Since the insolvency of Lehman Brothers (October 2008) triggered the worldwide economic disaster and the melt down of the International Finance- and Trade markets the Arabic World with Dubai (today 200 000 citizens and 1.17 million inhabitants) has become the focus for the USA and Europe question: how hard has the State of Dubai been hit by the rampant virus of insolvency. With a certain amount of glee the US and European media are noticing that the shockwaves did not spare Dubai.

Basically that is true, but at the same time it is less than half of the truth. The decade of the permanently growing economic success of Dubai which in the seventies/eighties still could be considered the logical consequence of the decision for free trade, liberty and a free trade, transformed itself in the last decade more and more into a fabulous story of success of the Arabian Economy based on the farsightedness of their Sheikhs.

Progress and Growth were defined in Dubai by different mathematic parameters than in other parts of the world, in spite of the prophecy of doom it will remain so also in the future.

For Europe and the rest of the world the painful recognition remains that the pupil can outperform his teacher. The UAE and Dubai to day are a glaring example of an autonomous political and economical way into the 21st century which will remain unchanged for the next decade.

Rise into an economical Super Power and Innovation Giant for the next decade. This applies to no other Nation like it does to the UAE and Dubai.

The boom in the UAE and Dubai rests on a three-pronged policy which proved its worth also in the global economical crisis and has resisted the virus of Insolvency and shrinking job market by far better then was evident in the European Economies. This insight is causing uncertainty in many old Western Democracies as regards their self esteem and creates a certain amount of concern towards Abu Dhabi and Dubai as competitor. Abu Dhabi and Dubai meanwhile have achieved a status, that even for visionaries were hard to accept: They have the worldwide quickest economic growth, the largest Gold market, the highest per capita income, the highest tourist attraction and a nearly perfect infrastructure, which is still continuously being extended.

The gain of prestige for the UAE and Dubai resulting from this is giving the Europeans a feeling of uncomfortable uncertainty. The Burj Al Arab – the only 7 star Hotel has benevolently astounded. But presently the Europeans are loosing out in competitive economical situations against Dubai.

On January 4th, 2010 the highest and most unusual office building in the world was inaugurated – the Burj Khalifa.

Dubai, since many years, has been the project and job creator of the World, is also important for Germany in this function because the investment volumes for the World Economy as well a as for the German Economy were of enormous importance as it ensured thousand of jobs. Companies like Putzmeister, Miele and others like specialists for concrete, building services, and huge number of other German companies were able to participate with contracts in the Millennium project Burj Khalifa. It provided media platforms for General technical enterprises, for science and architecture and these branches were given the chance to prove themselves. However, without the vision of Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum all this would not have happened.

Such a building could only come into existence in Dubai. It required courage and farsightedness and more than that - political leadership.

The ceremonial Opening with Fireworks and Water Fountains were received with great Enthusiasm and Fascination by the worldwide Media Family.

The highest building of the world (828m) with superlatives such as: 200 stories, 165 habitable, 330 000 m3 concrete,142 000 m2 of glass, 22 million working hours. Foundations having 192 50m long piles, 200 bar pump pressure on the concrete pumps.

The fact that all this happens in Dubai shows results in a competition unleashed amongst the “World Trade Nations” to define their positions. And the Winner is once again Dubai. The largest Race Track in the World – and the Winner is Dubai. Now the largest airfreight terminal is being built and nearly finished in Dubai. Only few years away the largest airline hub for freight and passengers – the Sheikh Maktoum Airport will be operative. Who would bet against this being the largest of its kind in the World. So, what will happen to London, Paris or Berlin. The above development should have all the European warning bells ringing, and the question is in order can progress happen so fast in the Arabian World while Europe seems to sleep or at best is at a standstill? It appears that the UAE and Dubai have not made the mistakes that were made by the European Governments time and time again and that over a long period of time.

continue with Morgenland No. 86: The German Welfare and Social State would probably not survive a Crash after the Crash 2010.