二度目のドバイ。 4年ぶりに訪れる機会に恵まれた。以前は煌びやか過ぎて、やや人工的という感じがしたが、今回は、ドバイショックを乗り越え、国としても熟し、魅力的な国際都市という印象を受けた。昨年、アラブ首長国連邦（ドバイはその首長国のひとつ）は創立40周年を迎えた。中でも、ドバイをこの短期間で中近東の経済、金融、貿易の中心に成長させたのは、ここの首長であるシェイク・モハメド殿下の揺るぎないビジョンとリーダーシップとそのビジョンを信じ、尽力する多くの人々の努力のお陰だろう。
話によると、アラブの若者たちにインタビューした結果、85％がドバイに住み、働きたいらしい。政治的な課題をたくさん抱える中近東にこのような「希望の都市」があるのは大事だと思う。また、ドバイ政府は、中小企業の誘致や援助を積極的にしており、女性の活躍もめざましい。将来はぜひドバイのスパイスたちとも交流ができたらと私まで夢が膨らむ。
ドバイと日本の大きな共通項はホスピタリティの精神。初日の晩にモハメド殿下の奥さまのプリンセス・ハヤ妃のスピーチがあり、「ドバイにお帰りなさい」と仰って下さったが、まさにそんな気がした。
ドバイのプロモーションを担い、今回のウィークエンドを主催したFALCONが発行しているドバイの情報誌のオンライン版はこちら。まだ英語のみだが、読み物としてなかなか手応えあり。
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| ホテルの裏の水路 Waterway in the back of the hotel |
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| 元祖”スパイスラック” - いいね！ The Original "Spice Rack" - Like! |
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| シェイクモハメド文化遺産センター Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Heritage |
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| ドバイの食事 A Meal in Dubai |
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| The Burj Al Arab |
I was honored to be invited back to Dubai for a long promotional weekend. When I visited here four years ago, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the glitter and the man-made feel of things. However, after weathering the financial crisis and its aftermath, Dubai seemed more mature and refined, and I was impressed by its confident identity as a city on par with the other major cities of the world.
It has been forty years since the founding of the United Arab Emirates of which Dubai is one principality. It is amazing to think that a place that was a desert forty years ago has now become a hub for trade, finance and other economic activities in the Middle-East. This is due to the vision and leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed and the people who believe in and work for this vision.
On this trip, I heard that 85% of Arab youths interviewed stated that the place they would like to live and work is Dubai. This gives much hope to a region that has often been characterized by conflict and turmoil. Dubai also places much effort on recruiting of and support for small and medium-sized enterprises and women-run businesses are no exception. It would be wonderful if one day we can connect the Spices of Dubai to other Spices from around the world.
On this trip, I heard that 85% of Arab youths interviewed stated that the place they would like to live and work is Dubai. This gives much hope to a region that has often been characterized by conflict and turmoil. Dubai also places much effort on recruiting of and support for small and medium-sized enterprises and women-run businesses are no exception. It would be wonderful if one day we can connect the Spices of Dubai to other Spices from around the world.
I found a strong similarity between Japan and Dubai in their value on hospitality. This was made clear to me in a speech by HRH Princess Haya, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed , who welcomed us "home" to Dubai on the first night. That is exactly how I felt.
Check out the online magazine concerning information on various secctors in Dubai. It’s very informative and a great read.
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