Dubai and the UAE economy are on good footing for an accelerated comeback once the Covid-19 pandemic eases but the world must synchronise its efforts to bring about recovery, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman of the Dubai Supreme Fiscal Committee, said.
"Because you have the infrastructure, the airlines, the hotels, this gives you a jump start," Sheikh Ahmed told The National.
"The government’s approach, its quick response, the agility of the healthcare services, co-ordinating with the private sector, has been very positive. The message that you will be attended to – this all means that you are geared because of the facilities that you have.”
When everybody opens up, and this disease clears up, then I think things will be back.
The pandemic brought the air travel industry to a standstill and has tipped the global economy into a recession.
Panic led to $17 trillion (Dh62tn) being wiped off stock markets worldwide, while governments have been forced to push out more than $8tn (Dh2.17tn) in stimulus packages as coronavirus restrictions affected companies, lending declined and unemployment surged to highs not seen since the Second World War.
Multibillion dollar events like the Tokyo Olympics and Expo 2020 Dubai have been postponed while the Hannover Messe, an annual trade event, was cancelled for the first time in its 73-year history.
On the prospect of tourism in Dubai – the hub of Emirates, the world’s biggest long-haul airline – returning to pre-crisis levels and whether the emirate could still meet its target of 20 million visitors, Sheikh Ahmed said he remains optimistic but pointed to a number of variables at play.
“You cannot do it yourself; the world and countries need to open up to each other,” he said.
“When everybody opens up, and this disease clears up, then I think things will be back. In Europe now, they started to open up slowly, and they’re paying close attention to see what’s going to happen, and others have followed.”
Tourism accounts for about 11.5 per cent of Dubai's gross domestic product.
About 16.73 million tourists visited Dubai in 2019, 5.1 per cent more than the previous year.
The emirate was named the third-best city for capturing direct international tourism spending in the World Travel & Tourism Council's 2019 Cities Report.
“We have to be optimistic. If business doesn’t open, how will people be able to get their food? You can’t be in lockdown forever; the authorities monitor the situation and they open slowly, and there’s a protocol about how you go about it," Sheikh Ahmed said.
"But nobody knows yet when all of this will be over.”
Sheikh Ahmed, who is chairman of Dubai Holding, said he did not see parallels between today's crisis and the 2008 global financial crisis, which was fostered by a real estate bubble that was felt regionally and led to the reorganisation of Dubai Holding and Nakheel.
He also dismissed the prospect of increased mergers or consolidation among companies because of the pandemic.
“Today the disease affected everyone – the baker, the butcher, the farmer, the pilot – it has become your problem even if it is not your problem," he said.
"It is completely different from 2008. This is a global problem. It's on an entirely different level, it affected everybody’s life.”
The International Air Transport Association projects that airlines will lose $314bn in revenue this year – 55 per cent less than 2019, due to the impact of the pandemic – and will require $200bn in government aid.
IATA has urged governments to quickly meet their pledges of financial support for airlines and issued a warning that 25 million jobs are at risk in a scenario where three months of travel restrictions are combined with the fall in air travel demand.
On whether the airline industry globally will sustain long-term damage or be able to stage a comeback, Sheikh Ahmed, who is also president of Dubai Civil Aviation and chairman and chief executive of Emirates airline and Group, said there are several variables that will determine the health of the industry and pace of its rebound.
“It can recover when countries open up. This disease is like anybody starting an airline without bilaterals,” Sheikh Ahmed said in reference to air travel agreements between countries.
“Today you want to go to points A, B, C, D but will they allow you to come in, or will you allow them to come in?"
Sheikh Ahmed said "we’ll get there ... we have to remain positive that this is going to go away. I remain positive on the way forward”.
Stage 2
1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix 4:18:30
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:06
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:06
4. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:06
5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:08
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The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
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Bio
Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind.
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.
Read more about the coronavirus
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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RESULT
Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Croatia: Rebic (53'), Modric (80'), Rakitic (90' 1)
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2014
Number of employees: 36
Sector: Logistics
Raised: $2.5 million
Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
