Dubai City: Commercial Capital and Commercial Center of the Middle East
Dubai is a city located on the north coast of the country of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is the most populated city and the most expensive in the entire country. It is mainly famous for being an expensive shopping place, a global city and a powerful business center. It is also an important transportation hub for people and cargo. Dubai was rated as one of the best places to live in the Middle East. Recently, the city has attracted a large group of people due to its high-rise buildings, great infrastructure, and sporting events. It is known for its skyscrapers and high-rise buildings.
Culture
The culture of Dubai is largely influenced by Islam and traditional Arab culture. It is also prominent in the city’s architecture, taste, fashion, music, and lifestyle. Muslims from all over the city gather to pray five times a day at the minarets of the mosques. But recently, the city is mostly populated with 80% foreigners, mostly Indians. Therefore, there is a great cultural variety. Due to the large number of tourists, Dubai’s culture has largely turned to an expensive and luxurious lifestyle. The main festivals celebrated are Eid al-Fitr and National Day.
Places to visit
Dubai is the most visited city in the world. There are very good places for sightseeing that are a must. Some of the most popular places to visit are Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Museum, Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Jumeirah Mosque, a desert conservation center and many others. Burj Khalifa is one of the tallest buildings in the world and a must see. It has the largest shopping mall in the world – The Dubai Mall. The Dubai Creek Park presents the most popular tourist attractions such as camel rides, exotic bird shows, etc.
Business
Dubai is one of the fastest growing business destinations in the world. It is a world renowned business center of the Middle East. Business in Dubai is greatly evolving and is now less dependent on its oil and gas business and diversified into international trade, tourism, banking, airlines, information technology and infrastructure. Dubai has an extensive business network, Global Marketing Avenue and a favorable tax environment.
Business opportunities in Dubai include-
· Extensive Foreign Trade Network– Dubai is an evolving market for the trade of goods and services.
· Financial services-There is an immense increase in the demand for private and institutional financial services in the region.
· Infrastructure– Dubai invests heavily in its transportation, telecommunications and industrial infrastructure. It has attracted many business opportunities.
· IT companies– IT industry is expanding widely in Dubai. IT companies are attracted towards the tax incentives provided by the Government. Dubai Internet City is a government-devised IT park that functions as a free economic sector for companies wishing to set up business in the city.
Below is the list of some of the established IT companies in Dubai:
1. Advanced business solutions
2.Canon Middle East FZ LLC
3.Cisco
4. Focus Softnet software for mobile computing and projects, web-based and e-commerce,
5.IBM Middle East FZ-LLC
6. MagiNet Interactive LimitedSolution Provider – IT Consulting
7. Sun Microsystems Multimedia Services, Internet Services Computer Software Companies, Web Site Designers
Education
Education in Dubai includes many levels of primary, secondary and university education available to different ethnic and linguistic groups. The education system of the United Arab Emirates is being followed in Dubai. There are around 80 public schools and 150 private schools in operation in Dubai. Most of the schools are affiliated to CBSE (Central Council for Secondary Education). Many Pakistani schools have also been set up. Primary and secondary education is free and compulsory for all boys and girls.
