Insead Abu Dhabi

If you know business schools, then you will know that Insead rates amongst the best in the world, and competes with the likes of Harvard and London Business School in terms of quality MBAs. The fact that Insead is setting up its third campus in Abu Dhabi is huge. There must be many incentives for Insead to do this, but whatever these are, this is a big win for Abu Dhabi, not against other cities in the Gulf but amongst World Cities providing their citizens with quality education.

Press Release from Insead
FT article

An afterthought on 9/11

As we reach the 5 year anniversary of a tragic event in history, we remember the victims of such an horrific, inhumane act. We also remember the many heroes of that day, including the blue collar workers of the New York who took control of the situation and risked their lives to help rescue the white collar workers. My question is this: would we expect the blue collar workers of Dubai to act in such a way if, God forbid, the same were to happen in Dubai?

Overheard in Norf London

Heavy cockney twang required:

"Fancy meeting up on Saturday, mate?"
"Sorry man, I'm goin down the Emirates. Will be Wicked"
"When did you book that? I didn't know you were going"
"Just because I was on holiday doesn't mean I'm going to miss the whole lot of them."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I have paid and I am going, like I do every year."
"But you have never been to Doo Bye, have ya?"
"Doo - bye? Why Doo-bye? No, I'm going to watch the football. "

Arsenal V Middlesbrough, Saturday, 09 September 2006
At the Emirates Stadium
Not in Doo-bye (Dubai), but if you are coming from there, then Fly Emirates.

Capital Inflation

I'd go with Standard Chartered's estimate of the increase in rents in Abu Dhabi over the coming year. This year's increase prediction of 37% is probably equivalent to the previous 3 years' increase but all in one go. There is short term trouble brewing in Abu Dhabi. Stress free days striding down the corniche appear to be a distant memory. The Dubai stress has reached the capital.And it won't go away for a long time.

Standard Chartered forecasts 36.6% Abu Dhabi rent hike

Inflation may rise to 13.8pc in 2006

and this year's prize for the most obvious article subject goes to:

Rent hikes key reason for inflation

Emaar is the stock markets.

With 55% of total volume, day traders look to profit on the yoyoing nature on bulk transactions.

Dar-al-Hayat: UAE Stock Markets: Fictional Growth or End of Adjustment?

Thai welders

coming to your nearest construction project, some time soon. 10,000 of them.

The Eastern Connection

Where is the big growth coming from over the next 50 years? China.
Who is smart enough to capitalise on both the East and the West? DIFC.

From Bloomberg:
The Dubai licence allows the bank to channel capital into investment opportunities between the Gulf and China, Chu said. First Eastern also plans to offer Chinese companies financing options for Middle East projects, including arranging export credit loans, project financing and equity investment.

Car accidents by Nationality

Is it right to break down the numbers by nationality. To me, it feels a litle uncomfortable:

H2 figures from Gulf News

Indians: 228 accidents, 30 deaths, 344 injuries

Pakistani: 193 accidents, 37 deaths and 332 injuries

GCC nationals: 163 accidents, 20 deaths and 257 were injured.

UAE nationals: 32 deaths

Total: 157 deaths, 1457 injured.

The real numbers would be as a proportion of population. I am sure that would paint a different story. If the RTA wish to issues such figures that point to blame, perhaps that is what they should be concentrating on.

Arsenal V Man U

The amazing new Arsenal stadium has attracted a huge amount of attention. With the 60,000 stadium was completely full for the Brazil v Argentina match, despite the absence of the the big grinned man. With Emirates paying for sponsorship, Arsenal is gaining a bigger name in other parts of the world. Manchester United have a longer term strategy in building from the ground level up, with its soccer schools, notably the soccer school in Dubai. What is the conclusion of all this? Not much. Emirates is making a big name for itself by embracing the football sponsorship bandwagon for both the World Cup and Arsenal. With 20% annual growth targets, it needs to channel numerous approaches in its aim for global air dominance. As for Manchester United, building brand overseas at grass roots is a smart move in an industry where the non-football profits are proving lucrative.

Camel Milk gets Global Coverage

After hearing of the issue faced by someone who was lactose intollerant, I suggested camel milk instead, as perhaps a substitute to soya milk. I got a response similar to:
"That sounds ****ing disgusting". However, as I have mentioned before, the pluses of camel milk are constantly being lauded. The most recent coverage comes from the Globe and Mail.

The Abu Dhabi Louvre?

After the Guggenheim signed up for a key spot in Abu Dhabi, there is further speculation regarding the Louvre setting up in the capital, as Abu Dhabi aims to bag the label of the cultural capital. Certainly, the Louvre would be another prestigious tenant, and if it does get signed up, and is implemented, it will surely cement the tourism chapter of Abu Dhabi's growth.

More from the Art Newspaper

Qatar Nursing homes

Qatar want to consolidate the UK nursing home market, which is highly fragmented. However, nursing homes, as a concept, are alien to Islam, in general. But, as they say: business is business.

Sheikh Mo, the Dictator

I am not sure that Dictator is the right word, and even if it is meant in a non dirty way, I would have thought that the New Statesman would have had more sense to stir controversy where it is not needed. In any case, here's the article. It paints SMBR in a positive light.