Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid has unveiled a plan to catapult Dubai into the world's top cities by economic strength in the next 10 years.
The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai said the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) plans to add billions of dirhams to the economy across more than 100 projects.
A key goal is placing Dubai in the top three cities by economic strength by 2033 and within the top four global financial centres. The city's economy would double in the next decade, he said.
On Twitter, Sheikh Mohammed said the plan calls for new trade corridors with 400 cities around the world, with a key focus on Africa and South America.
I invite you to join us in becoming one of the fastest growing cities in the world
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid,
Vice President and Ruler of Dubai
The plan envisages a programme to support 30 private companies to achieve unicorn status ― worth more than $1 billion (about Dh3.67 billion). Other business incubators will support the growth of private companies, with 400 of the most promising identified.
The ability to test and market new products in a "sandbox Dubai" programme will benefit new companies, he said.
The D33 plan further seeks to bring 65,000 Emiratis into the labour market, while attracting new universities to the city, bolstering the higher education sector.
"We have adopted today the Dubai Economic Agenda 'D33' for the next 10 years, praise to God," said Sheikh Mohammed, who on Wednesday celebrated 17 years as Ruler.
"During the next decade, we aim to double Dubai's economy and be ranked among the world's top three economic cities.
"Dubai Economic Agenda includes 100 transformative projects of which details will be announced, economic targets totalling Dh32 trillion for the next 10 years, foreign trade doubling to Dh25 trillion during the next decade and connecting Dubai with 400 new cities around the world through trade corridors," he said.
"The goal of Dubai is to become one of the top four global financial centres within 10 years, attracting foreign direct investments exceeding Dh700 billion."
"Our digital transformation will add Dh100 billion to Dubai's economy annually. Our city has more than 300,000 investors. I invite you to join us in becoming one of the fastest growing cities in the world," he added.
Today, the top financial centres are considered to be New York, London and Hong Kong, with Shanghai, Singapore and San Francisco typically next on the list.
Last month, Sheikh Mohammed set out the next phase of the city's 2040 Urban Master Plan, with new housing and easier commuting among the top priorities.
These include include providing residents with everything they need ― shops, schools, offices and recreation ― within a 20-minute journey of their home.
The plan is intended to curtail lengthy commutes and boost the city's status as a liveable destination.
First package of transformational projects - for the next decade
- Doubling the size of Dubai's Foreign trade and adding 400 cities to Dubai's Foreign Trade Map.
- Launching Dubai's plan for Green and Sustainable manufacturing.
- Launching Dubai's Future Economic Corridors 2033 with Africa, Latin America, South East Asia.
- Launching a scale-up programme for 30 companies to become global unicorns in new economic sectors.
- Integrating 65,000 young Emiratis into the job market.
- Launching Dubai Traders project to empower the new generation of traders in key sectors.
- Launching Dubai's unified licence as a unique commercial identity for all companies all over Dubai.
- Launching "Sandbox Dubai" to allow testing and commercialisation of new technologies, making Dubai a major innovation hub.
- Launching a programme to attract the world's best universities, making Dubai a global pioneering hub for higher education.
- Developing a Small and Medium Enterprises scale-up programme by identifying 400 high-potential companies, supporting their capacity building, and supporting them to grow globally.
Agenda objectives to consolidate Dubai's position among the top 3 economic cities around the world
Foreign trade: From Dh14.2 trillion in the past decade to Dh25.6 trillion for goods and services in the next decade.
Foreign Direct Investment: From an average of Dh32 billion annually in the past decade to an average of Dh60 billion annually in the next decade to reach a total of Dh650 billion by 2033.
Government expenditures: From Dh512 billion in the past decade to Dh700 billion in the next decade.
Private sector investments: From Dh790 billion in the past decade to Dh1 trillion in the next decade.
The value of domestic demand of goods and services: From Dh2.2 trillion in the past decade to Dh3 trillion in the next decade.
Digital transformation: Dh100 billion annual contribution of digital transformation projects to Dubai's economy.
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
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if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
Meydan Racecourse racecard:
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes Listed (PA) | Dh175,000 | 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden for 2-year-old fillies (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: The Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 1,600m
8.15pm: Maiden for 2-year-old colts (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,600m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 2,000m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,600m.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
INDIA SQUAD
Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
On sale: now