The federal system of government in the UAE includes a Supreme Council, a Cabinet, the Federal National Council and an independent judiciary with the Federal Supreme Court and lesser courts of First Instance (where cases are first brought) included. The UAE has its own constitution that determines the methods and procedures for governance and power-sharing.
Described as a ‘benevolent dictatorship’ by most country profiling authorities, due to a lack of democratic government and plethora of state benefits despite a tax-free model, Dubai receives a traditionally bigger role in the governance of the UAE. Aside from being an integral part of legislative and executive authority for the country, Dubai, like other Emirates, has its own local government which governs and legislates for issues pertaining solely to business setup in Dubai. In keeping with the tradition of older governance, Dubai also maintains a majlis system, wherein residents of the city may approach Rulers with general or personal concerns .
Dubai’s infrastructure in terms of road networks, communications, bridges and telecoms is one of the most sophisticated in the world. As a city with global ambitions, the Government of Dubai has spared no expense to kit the city out with some of the most advanced systems that ensure smooth, transitional processes for trade, commutes, business and communication needs.
Dubai-owned Telecoms operator Etisalat famously made it to a list of one of the world’s richest companies by asset value in 2006, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Offering the gamut of telecoms services, Etisalat is now in a race with recently kicked-off Du Telecom for subscribers. Having enjoyed a monopoly over the market as the only telecoms operator for since 1976, Etisalat is now offering new and innovative services to customers in a bid to compete effectively with Du. Du has announced its arrival with great fanfare and enticing subscription offers to match all over the UAE.
Between them, Du and Etisalat offer many services such as broadband internet, e-finance & banking services, 3G, utility payments and a host of mobile phone, wi-fi and roaming telecoms options including television and news feeds. The latest in their innovative packaging of mobile services Du and Etisalat offer home security cameras which may be accessed by mobile phone or internet.
With sophisticated web portals to aid payment and subscription, telecoms operators in the UAE have integrated bouquets of cutting edge services for wide use in business or leisure capacities. By trying to attract the world’s attention for business and trade, you can be sure the UAE will always try to stay in step with developments in world class telecoms technology.
Dubai’s road networks have become as famous for their complexity as they are for the speed at which they’re built and torn down. Several roads have been made, torn up and reinstated within months to make way for the development of the city, and its expansion in several directions. Flyovers, clovers and highly sophisticated toll gate systems and traffic monitoring devices are all features of Dubai’s road networks, ensuring smooth passage for commuters, construction vehicles and the ever growing population of the city.
The oft lamented traffic situation in Dubai has recently been assuaged with the rapid creation of new bridges around Dubai, helping drastically with commuter traffic to and from opposite sides of the Dubai Creek, which splits the city in two. The Business Bay Bridge has brought much calm to the overburdened Garhoud and Maktoum bridges with its girth of 13 lanes. It connects various parts of Business Setup in Dubai giving commuters an easier journey across the Emirate. The Floating Bridge is another such development and is a bridge literally on the creek’s surface, connecting Deira to Bur Dubai.
To relieve traffic on the much used Garhoud bridge, a highly sophisticated toll system has been installed at two key intersections on Sheikh Rashid and Sheikh Zayed road. The Salik road toll system involves the use of smart chip and radio frequency technology to debit commuter accounts as they pass through the toll gates with their Salik tags in their cars.
Much like the Salik toll gates, Dubai’s roads also boast high arching traffic warning systems which give commuters information on road conditions, blocked roads, hazards and even seasons greetings.
To augment the arguably ineffective public transport facilities in Dubai, the government has launched a project that will witness the creation of a comprehensive monorail system weaving through the city and stopping at its most populated and frequently visited districts. With 55 stations, over 51km of viaduct and 18km of tunnels, the urban transit system is expected to be completed in 2009 and boasts comfortable seating, air conditioning, toilet facilities and stunning views of the city.
From its humble beginnings as a pearling and fishing village in the early 19th Century to its development to a trade port and business setup in Dubai, Dubai has grown in leaps and bounds – first, with the discovery of oil in the early 60s and then with the forced diversification of the economy in multiple vertical sectors, namely trade, tourism, shopping, real estate and free zone activity.
As a natural conduit to and from the rest of the world, Business Setup in Dubai has proven to be a convenient checkpoint for international trade and business. It is not surprising therefore that the city hosts a myriad international organisations from the largest names in IT, to the most widely known television and news channels, media powerhouses and the most trusted names in commercial and consumer goods. With fantastic weather over the majority of the year, Dubai attracts tourists for the numerous shopping and leisure activities as well as sporting and cultural events and attractions.
And we haven’t even mentioned construction and real estate. The real estate market was opened up in 2003 and as a result, the largest growth contributor to the Dubai economy has been construction. The city seems to be awash with cranes and half-finished sky bound towers. With the deluge of foreign investment in property and real estate, it is now said of Dubai that not only have the Arabs managed to sell sand, but now they even sell air (referring to how properties sell out based simply on blueprints and guarantees).
Bedouin traditions are as much in evidence today as they were a couple of centuries ago. The Arabs conducted traditional dances, ceremonial rites and singing and dancing celebrations with tribal fervour akin to those of their nomadic desert brethren. Henna, turmeric, oudh (saps providing scent for personal and home use) and other vegetative compounds formed a vital part of traditional grooming, health and religious exercises in the Arabian home. Camel-riding, falconry and the playing of musical instruments, both wind and stringed, were part of the list of hobbies and pursuits of Bedouins. And a rudimentary form of polo called ‘buzkashi’ was also said to have originated in this region whose modern equivalent is a sport that the UAE still excels at today with globally acknowledged skill.
The recognition and respect of the family as a central decision-making unit is paramount in Arabian society, as is community approval and acceptance. Joint families are in decline though still largely prevalent and the importance of the patriarch is as much in evidence as it ever was. More and more, Arabian culture is opening up to liberal views and ideas on the importance of the individual, albeit at a slow and steady pace.
Dubai enjoys sunny, subtropical and warm weather all through the year. October to April is perhaps the best time to visit Dubai. In between, the harsh summer temperatures are a tad inhospitable, but that has hardly stopped tourists from filling plane seats in the past. Temperatures soar during the day and range between 26°C in December to 54°C in July. Minimum temperatures range from 12°C in January and 28°C in July. During the cooler months, it gets quite cold in the desert and makes for superb barbeque and camping weather.
Whenever you plan to make your way here, sun block, hats, shades and spectacular items of Hawaiian beachwear are advisable. We’ll take care of the deckchairs, air conditioning and ice cream.
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