National Editorial
On Monday we are proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid as Ruler of Dubai. He is a remarkable leader not only nationally, but also regionally and globally.
Under Sheikh Mohammed, the emirate has developed rapidly and witnessed a sustained economic boom, despite the global economic crisis of 2008. He has helped position the emirate – and the nation at large – for the future by strengthening the non-oil economy. Construction, travel, tourism and retail; all have blossomed under his stewardship.
Sheikh Mohammed provides an inspiration for the young and old alike. He always aims to come first in everything he does, and he demands the best from his people. Last year, he encouraged citizens and residents to be more innovative and to think long-term. He has always wanted Dubai, and the UAE, to compete on a global level and to be active in international events. As Vice-President, Sheikh Mohammed helped establish and build the country's global reputation "for doing the seemingly impossible", as Khalaf Al Habtoor, the chairman of Al Habtoor Group, writes on our opinion pages today.
It is a tribute to the hard work of Sheikh Mohammed and everyone in Dubai that, today, the “brand” of Dubai and the UAE is strong and well-known. Across the Middle East, the UAE is consistently ranked as the place young Arabs wish to live and wish their countries to emulate. Across the world, the city and the country are places that people want to travel to, work in and build a life in. It is not an exaggeration to say that, under Sheikh Mohammed’s watch, Dubai has joined the ranks of London and New York as a city with name recognition.
Such remarkable development has come about because of a focus not only on tangible infrastructure, such as roads and buildings, but also on intangibles such as education, research and development. The city’s rapid rise over the past 10 years has put it on a solid footing, for now and for the future.
We join the President, Sheikh Khalifa, in congratulating this great leader “for all that you have offered the UAE, Arab and Islamic nations, and for the entire world”. We also know that Sheikh Mohammed will further surpass our expectations over the decades to come.
INVESTMENT PLEDGES
Cartlow: $13.4m
Rabbitmart: $14m
Smileneo: $5.8m
Soum: $4m
imVentures: $100m
Plug and Play: $25m
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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The%20specs%20
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci
Pushkin Press
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company%20Profile
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The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
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