Hue City (CG 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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Jebel li I Dubai, U.A.E. Dubai is the most populous and second largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates after Abu Dhabi. Dubai is distinct from other members of the UAE in that revenues from oil account for only GM, of its gross domestic product. A majority ofthe em1rate's revenues are from the Jebel Ali Free Zone CJAFZJ and increasingly from tourism. With enormous construction and development in various industries, Dubai has attracted world attention through innovative real estate projects, sports events, conferences and Guinness records. However, this increased attention, coinciding with its emergence as a world business hub have also highlighted potential human rights quagmires conceming its largely immigrant workforce. Dubai is unusual in that its population is comprised mainly of expatriates, with UAE nationals CEmiratisj constituting the minority. The majority of these expatriates come from South Asia and South East Asia. A quarter of the population reportedly trace their origins to neighbouring Iran. Dubai is also home to some l00,000 British and other westem expatriates. The UAE govemment does not allow any form of naturalization or permanent residence to expatriates. However, foreigners are permitted to purchase and own property without a localpartner sponsor. A . YVL43' Nearly all of the commercial establishments are run by expatriates with a silent local partner who merely 'irents the business license for a negotiated armual fee without taking partgin any capital investment. The numerous free trade zones allow for full expatriate ownership. ' A f There is an increasing number of ufreeholdn villas and apartments on artificial islands such as the Falm Islands and in many parts of Dubai for example The Greens, Dubai Marina, International City, etc. Ownership is either permanent or on a 99 year lease depending on which area - freehold areas were .announced in the press in July 2006. Ownership or lease of a completed residence allows the owner to apply for Cbut not guaranteej a residency visa on a 3 year renewable basis. The Federal Govemment does not state whether foreigners may or may not own property and has left individual emirates to formulate their own property laws. Today, Dubai is an important tourist destination and port Uebel Ali, constructed in the l9TOs, has the largest man-made harbour in the worldj, but also increasingly developing as a hub for service industries such as IT and finance with the new Dubai Intemational Financial Centre CDIFCD. Transport links are bolstered by its rapidly- expanding Emirates Airline, founded by the govemment in 1985 and Still State-OWned- based at Dubai. 9 76

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