Globally, the impact of coronavirus has been felt differently across cities – some have been affected more severely than others. Similarly, economic sectors too have been affected differently in each country and each city.
In Dubai, the effect on air travel, tourism, construction and real estate have been undeniable. While we all hope that 2021 will bring relief from this year's challenges, it is not a useful strategy to simply hope.
Looking ahead, we must consider what can be done. What can we learn from this year? More importantly, how can we use the lessons of 2020 to shape the future?
Even as we hope for respite from challenges brought on by the pandemic, we must resolve to take urgent action with a specific focus on the local experience.
A couple of months ago, the Dubai Future Foundation convened online workshops to examine the economic impact and possible routes into the future. We identified three essential insights.
First, there is no going back to the economy that existed before coronavirus. This matters because there are many countries and cities around the world that are attempting to turn back the clock.
Another implication is that the infrastructure and human capital built during the pandemic will remain. Time will tell, however, whether they remain assets or liabilities.
Second, the digital and intangible spheres will be all-important. As we all know, online activity boomed during Covid-19. This will continue to be the case. We have become digital beings – online commerce, online working, online teaching are here to stay.
Third is the undeniable fact that people are united. We are one species, on one planet and our fates are intertwined. While physical borders were closed and some countries stockpiled goods, all countries were quick to reopen to travel, goods and services. As they say, globalisation is dead – long live globalisation.
Roll these three into one and you get, what we call, city-as-a-service. Or more precisely, Dubai-as-a-service.
The city-as-a-service offering is appealing because it is easy, globally accessible and customisable.
In the future, cities may offer add-ons to a basic service. A bit like television subscriptions: a basic one offers a few channels, more money buys more interesting channels
Think about it: there are plenty of reasons to relocate to Dubai, including a choice of housing, great international travel connections and an advantageous tax situation. So, the Dubai Tourism Authority was quick to realise this and has implemented a 'one-year virtual working programme', which redefines remote working.
This might just be a means to make up for the economic impact endured, a way to leverage existing assets and capitalise on the global supply of high-value work.
In essence, working professionals from around the world who meet the criteria can move to Dubai and make the city their base for working remotely. Such a scheme comes on the back of similar ones offered by countries such as Barbados and Estonia that advertise 'digital nomad visas' to attract start-ups and entrepreneurs who want to select the most suitable and appealing location for their work.
Such steps aim to attract high-value individuals and companies, thus boosting the economy.
In the future, cities may offer add-ons to a basic service. A bit like television subscriptions: a basic one offers a few channels, more money buys more interesting channels. How could cities make use of this approach and make it work for them?
Cities have a certain attraction because of what’s on offer: a vibrant scene, culture, restaurants, interesting people and plenty of opportunities. But they can also be expensive as housing, transport, health and education are factored in – not to mention, the effort of relocating can be a drain on time.
But what if there was an alternative. What if packages were available that included school and housing with an optional add-on for health that you could virtually just click on and add to your basket.
You might have transferable health insurance from your home country, but in case you don’t there would be options for add-ons, for transport (a basic add-on would include public transport, a high-end add-on would include a driver).
Choose length of the service, pick a level of service, select a location, sign digitally and you're all done – your package, the visa and the entry code to your apartment would be on the app. And your sim and driver would wait for you in Dubai.
As cities take steps to attract talent and money, a customisable menu, so to speak, would tempt professionals to relocate. In the future, the appeal of cities-as-a-service will grow.
As people choose a location, such services will become part of the offering that will make such moves easy and thus more feasible. It is not inconceivable to think that there will be waves of nomadic movements of this kind: as a city becomes more popular, prices will increase.
Consequentially and over time, nomads will be quick to relocate. Dubai-as-a-service will vie for the top spots with a view to retain as many people as possible.
With cities-as-a-service the technology, economy, location and globalisation are rolled into one and there is a dire need for creative thinking to reinvigorate economies.
As dramatic a year as 2020 has been, it has also been an innovative, entrepreneurial and creative one. I, for one, look forward to meet the first cohort of Dubai-resident digital nomads in 2021.
Dr Patrick Noack is the executive director of future, foresight and imagination at the Dubai Future Foundation
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The five pillars of Islam
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
MORE ON THE US DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES
Brief scores:
Liverpool 3
Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'
Manchester United 1
Lingard 33'
Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)
england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
'Tell the Machine Goodnight' by Katie Williams
Penguin Randomhouse
Prophets of Rage
(Fantasy Records)
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
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Poacher
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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A%20QUIET%20PLACE
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Warby Parker @warbyparker
Zara @zara
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
