Iwona Schweizer

I recently visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a vibrant tourist center in the Middle East.

With the discovery of oil in the 1960’s, the area was transformed from small fishing and pearling villages to a regional business center for the Gulf region.  In 1971 after independence from Britain, the seven emirates united and created the UAE. The population at that time was around 235,000.  The current population is close to 9.5 million people and the median age is 34.

UAE rulers understood early that diversification was critical to the country’s future.  Accordingly, they offered attractive tax advantages and brought major Fortune 500 companies to invest there.  Even though oil still plays important role in country’s total revenue other industries like real estate, finance, retail, and tourism are now part of the backbone of the UAE’s dynamic economy.

UAE ranks among the top 15 defense spenders worldwide, with a majority of the defense budget being spent on air defense systems and the air force.  The United States provides the UAE with military training and has treated the UAE as a leading partner in combating terrorism. Recently, UAE special operation forces were involved in Mali, Afghanistan, Egypt, Yemen, Somalia.  UAE does not have diplomatic relations with Israel (Israelis or Israeli products are not allowed in the country). However, both countries conduct joint military exercise in fighting terrorism.

About 10-15% of the population are native citizens. 80% of the population is foreign born. Emiratis have many privileges provided by the government such as free education, healthcare, grants to cover wedding costs, subsidized utility payments, and well-paid jobs in public sector. UAE is often called expatriate’s paradise. Expats with good jobs are compensated very well. The often receive a housing allowance and car allowances. Domestic help is cheap, almost every household employs a maid. There is no income tax or sales tax.

Due to the influx of foreigners, Emiratis often complain about losing their cultural identity. A common complaint is that too often Islamic guidelines for modest clothing, displays of affection, and consumption of alcohol are not enforced. It is common to see people dressed in western style outfits next to a native wearing an abaya, burka or kandura. Alcohol is served in licensed bars and hotels, and the UAE is famous as a sex tourist destination in the Middle East.

Temporary workers (construction, service) are often unhappy but would usually say “it is still better than back home.” They send money home, educate their children, and save for old age. Many families in Asia were lifted out of poverty because someone in their family works in UAE. I spoke to few hotel and restaurant workers who were very satisfied. Many employers pay for tickets to visit home.

There are also sad stories of people leaving in deplorable conditions, who for some reason had their passports confiscated, and/or whose wages were not paid by their employers. I came across a few circumstances where people claimed they were unable to go back home because they did not have the money to travel.

One can often see nannies with children in local coffee shops. My friends have a nanny from the Philippines. She has worked in Dubai for 12 years and seems very happy there. She is paid $600 month to clean, cook, and take care of two small children. Her wages allow her to send money to her parents every month. By doing so, she was able to build her parents a small house.

Dubai is the cleanest, elegant, the most modern city I ever saw. It often feels unreal, with wide boulevards, big shopping malls, an indoor ski slope, and even a three story aquarium in one of the shopping centers. Dubai also boasts the tallest building in the world. It has the finest restaurants, luxurious hotels. Dubai Healthcare Center is a hub for wealthy people in the Gulf area. Wealthy individuals can even purchase a manmade island in the shape of the world.

UAE is the second safest country in the world, after Finland. You can leave your iPhone on a table and nobody will touch it. Surveillance and undercover police are common. Cameras are everywhere. UAE has experienced no political unrest so far.  That being said, criticizing the government or Islam can result in imprisonment or deportation.

A friend who lives there for years told me about his colleague who went out with his buddies one night.  The following day he received the call and was told to leave the country within 24 hours. When he asked why, caller said “no explanation, no questions asked, you have 24 hours to get out”.

Cars and car insurance are inexpensive. You can see high end cars like Jaguar, Bugatti, Lamborghini on the roads and mall parking lots.  Dubai is famous for its Maserati and Porsche police cars.

In 2016, almost 15 million people visited Dubai. It is the fourth most visited city in the world.  There are a lot of efforts to expand culture in UAE.  Last year, a magnificent opera house opened in Dubai.  There are plans to open Guggenheim and Louvre museums in Abu Dhabi.  Such initiatives should have a positive effect on the country’s leisure sector.

UAE is supposedly one of the happiest countries on the planet. They even have “Minister of State for Happiness” driving government policy to provide social satisfaction.