Job Discussion Forums

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

I think it was originally a NY Times article. The latter owns IHT, although IHT writes some articles unique to its paper, while the majority appear first or simultaneously with the NYT. I don't think the Emiratis censor the NY Times although I feel certain they pay CNN millions upon millions to paint Dubai as the most advanced paradise on earth.

wannago · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 85

ckhl · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 214 Location: SE Asia

although I feel certain they pay CNN millions upon millions to paint Dubai as the most advanced paradise on earth.

This wouldn't surprise me at all. And you won't get any frank reporting on the severity of the situation from any of the local newspapers, which, at best, serve up only sunny boilerplate. Years ago I'd chuckle upon exiting my flat and seeing the Gulf News half under a neighbor's door after the morning delivery. I could think of far better ways of wasting my money, or more palatable reading material to accompany my morning coffee.

johnkg · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 127

I've noticed no downturn in the numbers of people in Dubai, Sharjah or Abu Dhabi. The shopping malls in all seem busier than ever. From looking at the news, I'd guess the upmarket shopping areas of New York and London are a bit ghostlier of late.

If anyone caught the BBC's excellent Middle East Business Report, it said 8% of the expat population would leave Dubai this year. It also reported Ministry figures saying more people than ever are arriving. Those two taken together looks like an 8% drop in those leaving and record numbers of new arrivals. Hardly ghost town proportions.

As an aside: BBC also says sales of luxury cars such as Bentleys are booming in the UAE.

Don't they have money exchanges in Ras al Kaimah?

ckhl · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 214 Location: SE Asia

If anyone caught the BBC's excellent Middle East Business Report, it said 8% of the expat population would leave Dubai this year. It also reported Ministry figures saying more people than ever are arriving. Those two taken together looks like an 8% drop in those leaving and record numbers of new arrivals. Hardly ghost town proportions.

You actually give more than a modicum of credence to figures published by the Ministry? How much of a stake, or how much are you relying on your Gulf stint?

adorabilly · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

johnkg · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 127

ckhl · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 214 Location: SE Asia

"Ghost Town" is certainly overstated. However, more jobs are disappearing here more than is publicized, which doubtless will result in a fall in the number of expatriates here on resident visas.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:32 am Post subject:

Hey all, as a 'merican, I'm unable to form an opinion about this issue on my own. Does anyone know what Oprah thinks about the issue? If she could just tell us, I'd know what to think! Rolling Eyes

NCTBA (noticbly NOT thrilled when Oprah opens her maw!)

007 · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:20 am Post subject:

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Well, the IHT article said "certain parts" of Dubai looked like a ghost town. And the writer did report the 3,000 abandoned cars at the airport as merely a series of rumors, and also reported the 1500 daily cancellations of visas as a rumor, since the government won't give out any information. I think they're dead-on when they say the government's total lack of transparency there is not inspiring people with confidence.

A few months ago I read in the Gulf News that people spent THREE HOURS in their cars just to go visit a big new mall. (No ghosts in that Bangkok-style traffic.) My God, what is that? Is that what some people in Dubai think is worthwhile? Sitting in your car half the day in order to walk down endless mall corridors for the other half?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 5:30 pm Post subject:

SNB: The Dubai that I first stumbled upon in 1994 and stumbled out of in 2000 doesn't exist anymore. There is no more quaintness...it is big city growth and nastiness at it's worst! Saddening in a way for those who remember the only buildings of any significance on SZR were the Crowne Plaza and the WTC!

NCTBA

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

I was at DWC from '97 to 2002, then on to other parts of the UAE until 2007. Of course I visited Dubai sometimes until '07, usually experiencing more traffic than ever, especially when they started building the subway system. Taxi drivers got really surly when they found out my hotel was on Abu Hail street. But that absurd mall story came out just a few months ago.

Write a book about all this and get Oprah to endorse it. In that case I'll be sure to avoid it!

She likes to endorse fake memoirs and then self-righteously scold the writers on her show. As I mentioned in another post (the thread of which got pulled; not sure why as I never saw the replies, if any), I'd sooner throw a blind dart in a book store and see where it lands than follow Oprah's advice.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 5:46 pm Post subject:

NCTBA

uaeobserver · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 236

On the topic of CNN ---- I never read anything they write about the area ---- it's usually wrong. Back when the beach couple were given bail --- CNN didn't even get the exchange rate correct (they reported 1000 AED equal to 3670 dollars).

On the topic of economy --- if you look at demographic forecasts, about half of UAE nationals are aged 25 or under. This means the college-age population will be on a growth trajectory for a long, long time.

The need to educate Nationals in English has been - and will continue to be a substantial one.

I don't forecast any decline in demand for about 15 years (in ESL).