Historic relations under the microscope

Good to know about this special but not well-advertised relationship in Sultan Al Qassemi's article, The other special relationship the UAE and the UK (November 21).

Perhaps this also implies a twin city status for Dubai-London. Clearly despite East-West differences, both the UAE and the UK have grown their business and cultural ties against the odds.

Comparing Dubai Ports' London Gateway project to those it unfairly lost elsewhere several years ago, shows how vision and perseverance can trump challenges of bigotry and fear. Globalisation in spite of its downside, has created a growth pair at opposite ends of the world stage.

Athar Mian, Britain

In his article, Sultan Al Qassimi tries to create an inaccurate picture about these two countries and how they relate to each other.

The relationship between the UK and the UAE is largely that of mutual interest:  security for the UAE in exchange for the UK's forceful presence. Cultural or educational  exchanges do not predominate, but rather the UK caters to the needs of this country like any other form of business.

Uki Stein, Dubai

Drinks in the sky are a bother

Incidents in domestic aircraft by unruly passengers are on the rise - largely due to passengers consuming alcohol that is served freely.

Though the limitations of alcohol consumption are set by the airline, the steward normally has a hard time in refusing demanding passengers.

This scene is quite common and the unhealthy conversation that ensues between the hostess and the passenger is repulsive for those families with children who get trapped in the midst of these drunkards.

I wonder why the airlines can't have a drinking zone for passengers who need to drink and separate the rest so that they can avoid embarrassment. The reason for allowing drinking in aeroplanes is to attract passengers to the airlines. Perhaps one day they'll develop flying disco vessels. The sober among us will have little respite.

Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi

Special access for property investors

To solve the visa issue mentioned in the article, What a better visa law can do for a recovery (November 21), all property investors and their immediate family members could be given an electronic card containing fingerprint and iris scan data by the land department.

This could qualify investors to receive a six month multiple entry visa on arrival at any of the airports, by paying a fee of US$40per entry.

There could be a separate good quality hospital which runs on a property fund, where the investor's treatment requirements are taken care-of. In return the investor should validate a purpose made health insurance card by paying a premium of US$100 per person entered on a property investor visa every six months. The UAE could resolve the property related visa issue on an urgent basis.It will take a minimum six months for the market to show positive signs, from the date of resolving the visa issue.

Radha Krishna, Dubai

I know many wealthy owners who love Dubai. Many of them simply need a "come and go as you please" visa to make their investments here worthwhile, much like Malaysia's "second home programme". Many businessmen cannot face the hassle of six month visas, and as a result will head off to their other homes in Marbella or Switzerland - and spend all there money there, and not here.

It is Dubai's own interest to assist them.

Alan Godfrey, Abu Dhabi

Of modifiers and their cars

On The modifiers and their beloved cars (November 16), these cars do not come under the modified cars category.

The white car pictured therein is a standard Honda Accord which has a strange customized bodykit and I understand the suspension is that of a Landcruiser.

Secondly,the Orange Toyota Soarer featured is also a standard car that is merely lowered with Lexus factory rims.

Iranzeb Khan, Dubai

Eid holidays no work aberration

The Eid holidays were marked this year and most people knew the time span Business groups take Eid break in their stride (November 22).

The fact that one holiday is used to mention yet again another reason why Emiratis don't join the private sector is amusing. In the same private sectors as mentioned, Christmas and New Year vacations come up annually, thus negating the point.

I also don't understand the correlation between the four injured or killed and Eid. Traffic accidents are a common occurrence here and do happen on a daily basis.

Shamma Ahmed, Abu Dhabi