Author Archives: howesdubai

We’ve Only Just Begun

Posted on July 14, 2012 by howesdubai

The impact of the eurozone debacle, slow worldwide growth and the fact that global banks are cutting back on lending are all reasons why this area is now facing a meltdown in bank lending. Staggering figures out this week have … Continue reading →

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Diamonds are Forever

Posted on July 5, 2012 by howesdubai

The UAE has ticked all the right boxes to claim regional bragging rights, by bettering all of its neighbours, in the recent World Economic Forum’s Global Enabling Trade Report 2012. On a worldwide comparison, it was ranked in terms of … Continue reading →

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You Can’t Always Get What You Want

Posted on July 1, 2012 by howesdubai

Just as the rest of the world appears to be wallowing in an economic malaise, Dubai Customs report that Q1 trade reached an impressive US$ 81 billion almost 7% up on the corresponding period last year. Exports and Re-exports rose … Continue reading →

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You Keep Me Hangin’ On

Posted on June 22, 2012 by howesdubai

Further signs of the region bucking the global trend came with the news that Gulf cement companies saw a 24% Q1 increase in Revenue to US$ 1.25 billion whilst their profits rose by 21% to US$ 435 million. UAE-based companies … Continue reading →

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Paint It Black

Posted on June 15, 2012 by howesdubai

It comes as no surprise to hear of the IMF warning that the UAE could be hit by further deterioration in the eurozone crisis. Their report specifically highlighted Greece as the major source of “contagion risk” for Dubai and added … Continue reading →

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Tomorrow Never Knows

Posted on June 10, 2012 by howesdubai

Some welcomed the fact that Brent Crude, having hit a low of US$ 93 earlier, ended the week hovering around the US$ 100 mark. As the Iranian crisis had pushed up prices earlier in the year, the European economic woes and … Continue reading →

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Back in the High Life Again

Posted on June 8, 2012 by howesdubai

Just to prove that the economy is on the mend, the world’s most expensive reading glasses have gone on sale in Dubai. And what do you get for US$ 75k – hand-crafted glasses, made in the USA, that are 18 … Continue reading →

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We’re All Going to the Zoo Tomorrow

Posted on May 20, 2012 by howesdubai

Good news – at least for the animals in the over-crowded Jumeirah zoo, with reports that they will be shortly relocated to a 400 hectares redevelopment in Al Warqa’a. Furthermore, the new complex will include golf courses, along with entertainment … Continue reading →

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Right Here Right Now

Posted on May 12, 2012 by howesdubai

The triple “Ts” of Travel, Trade and Tourism continue to be the main drivers helping Dubai in its recovery phase since the global meltdown of 2009 which left the emirate in such a parlous state. Despite the record high fuel … Continue reading →

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Déjà Vu

Posted on May 6, 2012 by howesdubai

Those who remember the boom times will recall the plans then to build Hydropolis, the world’s first underwater hotel, off the Jumeirah coastline. The idea sank with the onset of the economic meltdown only now to resurface with the news … Continue reading →

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