Dubai is ‘one of the world’s great economic miracles’

Posted on: October 8, 2009

Written by Max Bielby

Dubai: Dubai has been described as "one of the world's great economic miracles" by the head of the United Nations.

Kofi Annan, the organisation's Secretary-General, highlighted the fact that less than 10 per cent of Dubai's economy is based on oil even though the city is "in the heart of the world's oil region".

"[The UAE] is a country whose leaders and people have learned the importance of using scarce resources efficiently," he said."It is a civilisation grounded in strong cultural and spiritual values, which recognises that sustainable development will not succeed without caring for and conserving the world's natural capital."

Annan also expressed his sadness at the recent death of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose passing he said "came as a shock to us all". "During this period of grief, our condolences go especially to Shaikh Mohammad and the rest of the Al Maktoum family," he said.

Source: Gulf News