"Do you think it's too much or not enough?" I ask Ernesto as he takes measurements in the backyard. Even though it's May and the temperatures have warmed, he seems enthused to be outside and with the choice of space I've given him. "No, they'll love it," he reassures me.
It may seem silly to some, but when recently shifting houses in Abu Dhabi, I had to consider what my cats would also enjoy. When I finally moved into a two-storey villa (which offered a staircase for them to get in more exercise), I also took note of the backyard, trying to figure out how to best utilise it.
Having lived in apartment buildings for the past six years, this was the first time I had my own outdoor area. I had thoughts of hanging up lights and hosting my friends for a barbecue night – but I also knew I had to do something for my cats.
After all, my four rescues had always been cooped up indoors, so it seemed fair to share the space with them, too.
Creating a safe space for my cats
I was recommended Ernesto by a friend who had recently used him to build a small catio (yes, a patio for cats) in her villa. After getting in touch, I sent him a photo of my backyard and asked if he had any ideas on how to best make use of the space. He came back to me with two drawings outlining possible ideas.
Once I settled on a design, we agreed upon a price – Dh3,000 in total – and we were off. In all, the project only took three days for him to build after taking measurements of the space.
Some people might wonder why I don't just let my cats roam outside as some of my neighbours do. Indeed, I've had a few cats (some stray, others clearly pets) visit my backyard or even my front door looking for food. Even my family's cats back in the US are free to roam, only usually coming back at night when my mum calls for them. But for me, I just didn't want to risk it.
The idea of something happening to one of them if they were allowed out around the neighbourhood would be too heartbreaking. After all, they were all rescued from the streets at one point, with one needing to be nursed back to health after she was found dumped, matted and malnourished.
Too often I hear stories of pets getting into fights with other stray cats or, even worse, getting accidentally run over. In my mind, it seemed a catio was the best solution as it allowed them to enjoy the outdoors while also staying in a safe space.
A new world for them to enjoy
So far, it's been about a week since the catio was completed and my cats seem to be enjoying it. All four have ventured out at least once to explore. Suddenly, they're able to see birds more closely without a window pane in the way. I like to imagine this new world is one they are quite happy with.
However, it is still a work in progress. I'm hoping to eventually add more interactive elements so they don't feel like they're just stuck in a big cage. I've added an old cat tree as well as a scratching post, with more ideas to come later.
But for now, they're able to get fresh air and sunlight and I get the peace of mind of knowing they'll be OK.
One of my Arabian Mau cats loves it so much, he spends all evening sprawled out on the top ledge. I like to joke that he's no longer part of the family; he's gone to the world, he's an outdoor cat now.
But, of course, I know that thanks to having a secured catio, that he'll be back inside sooner or later.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
info-box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Happy Tenant
Started: January 2019
Co-founders: Joe Moufarrej and Umar Rana
Based: Dubai
Sector: Technology, real-estate
Initial investment: Dh2.5 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 4,000
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Asia Qualifier
Fixtures
Friday, April 12, Malaysia v UAE
Saturday, April 13, UAE v Nepal
Monday, April 15, UAE v Kuwait
Tuesday, April 16, UAE v Singapore
Thursday, April 18, UAE v Oman
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Aaron Benjamin, Akasha Mohammed, Alishan Sharafu, Anand Kumar, Ansh Tandon, Ashwanth Valthapa, Karthik Meiyappan, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Rishab Mukherjee, Niel Lobo, Osama Hassan, Vritya Aravind, Wasi Shah
Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
