What Recession?

The photo above was taken from the East Coast Park this morning. The Singapore port appeared very crowded. What recession? The numbers in the papers had been going down for many months now but the sight on our waters is so different from the recession of '85, where there were very few ships.

The trade numbers are not wrong. The major difference is the size of the Singapore economy. It is much larger than it was almost 25 years ago. Despite this, the parking space at sea hasn't changed much. This is the same with the people thronging the malls and various eateries. Singapore is at a different level now. Trade to GDP ratio may be in excess of three times. Our dependence on the external world has increased but counter-intuitively, we have become more able at absorbing external shocks.

So what recession? This is actually the deepest recession for us since becoming independent. It is just less obvious on the street now. Remember, we all laugh together but cry alone. The affected residents are staying away.

Durian dinner

Daisy and I decided that we will do something exceptional for dinner on friday - We would eat only durians. We bought two the first and smaller one was much better than the bigger second one. You can find durians at Carrefour in Dubai, but they look like they were fallen from the tree last year. Who will eat them? They should be offered to the decomposers, i.e., the bacteria and fungi.

National Geographic Shop

We were in Vivocity on Friday to restart our cable TV connection when saw the National Geographic shop. It was a real treat to the eyes except for the price tags. I especially love the bags, and I always thought this sort of thing is a woman's obssession. Daisy is always eyeing bags and she thinks I am quite good at picking out the nice ones.

If you were wondering if we bought anything? Non. Money sits in my pocket better than elsewhere most of the time.

I will window shop there again and again and buy nothing unless there is a big sale. I will never be tempted, and has had more than 20 years of training already.

Very hot in Singapore

This is the wall clock in our living room. The only interesting data was 30.3 degrees celsius. No wonder so many people have been complaining to me via email when I was in Dubai that it is unbearably hot here. More than once, my sister said she was melting.

I remembered the e-mercury rarely exceeded 29. It has been consistently above 30 since we got back.

In our Dubai apartment where we have 24/7 air conditioning, we usually set the thermostat to a pleasant 24. My desk top clock thermometer would typically read 27. Now above 30 and with almost perfect humidity it is very difficult not to turn on the a/c.

Return to a dearly missed place

"Verging all Teens" occupies the top floor of the Jurong Regional Library. One day after we landed in Singapore, we too the girls to the library, one of their favourite places. We had in Dubai unsuccessfully tried to find any facility that would fill this void.

This photo was taken on a comfy bench as I sat there waiting for the rest of the family to get their books. On my lap is my reserved copy of, "Prisoner of the State" translated from the audio tapes dictated by the later Chinese premier Zhao Ziyang.

Two cities skyline

The last time we approached Dubai International Airport, Lin took a photo shot of the Dubai skyline, I told myself I must also take a shot of the approach when we go back to Singapore. I had hoped to get a photo of the Singapore CBD but discovered that we were on the wrong side of the aircraft. I have here is the picture of Pasir Ris HDB estate in the distance and Changi Village near us.

My point? We are so blessed to be in the tropics where nature is on our side if we want to green the city. Dubai is less fortunate. Theirs is an endless battle with the sand, pitting technology and money against nature. Even Abu Dhabi cannot do much better.

On the way home

30,000 feet above the Indian Ocean in the morning of the 27th and waiting for my bread roll to arrive. All of us have slept most of the journey home, i.e., skipped a "Gordon Ramsey" supper. This is our last trip from Dubai to Singapore. No plans to go back unless it is a different Dubai. Also no plans to fly business class unless forced to do so. We rather fly coach and pocket the difference. Due to the hard times, the Raffles Class ticket to Singapore was absurdly cheap anyway. Yes, we are grateful that for once, we did need to board the bus to our plane. We had the aero bridge this time!

We arrived in Singapore's Changi airport at 11:20am. The midnight temperature in Dubai was 37C compared to 29C at Changi.

Last sunset in Dubai

We have just returned our rental Accord, the equipment from Du and also had a quick dinner. While riding in a cab back to our apartment I took this picture of our last sunset in Dubai. We have booked a cab to the airport for 8pm; more than enough time to shower before we leave.

Dubai is facing a very serious debt crisis which I am convinced from talking to some senior executives here is understated. US$80 billions owing over five years of which about US$ 13 to 17 millions are due this year, the numbers are far too small. One developer I know already owes at least a few billions and there are so many of them!

Dubai cannot be sunk so easily. No country can and furthermore it is located strategically in the most important oil producing area in the world. Dubai will rise again, I explained to people countless times but many of the expats will not be here to ride the next wave.

We are among the few fortunate ones with a choice to remain or leave with benefits. We have chosen to leave for the sake of the children's education.

Our favorite Thai stall

This was our favorite Thai food outlet in Dubai and the MOE. We were hoping to savor it one more time before we return to Singapore. No such fortune, they are closed and undergoing renovation. Seems to me that the stalls here are taking turns to do this. Unlike back home, they take their time to come back.

Visiting Babu @ Burj Dubai

Yesterday I tried to visit Babu after leaving a remote control for a friend I had forgotten earlier. Babu I was told from numerous emails sent to me works on a crane at the very top the world - The Burj Dubai.

I didn't manage to get up there and I think you can guess why. I was told it was dangerous to approach the top too even on no lightning days. Rumors had it that toilets are not provided at the top.

By the way, Babu doesn't exist, at least not in the cabin up there. One day, when the building of the Burj Dubai becomes a documentary on National Geographic or Discovery Channel, we will get to know who this "Babu" was. Till then, keep your fingers crossed. Let a hundred rumors abound. No worries, the truth up there will be revealed.

The Dubai Mall Fountain

Had a wonderful chicken curry dinner a the place a fellow singaporean family last night. Their condo faces the Dubai Mall fountain and here is what we enjoyed after the makan!

Pride of a once Great Developer

Drove by this place in Jebel Ali yesterday afternoon and was surprised to see perhaps a kilometre of once proud flags of a key developer in Dubai torned. Some of the flag poles have even collapsed on the ground. They should never have allowed this to happen. Much better if they had removed them.

Future Blog entry - The Dubai Mall Fountain

This is an unusual blog entry because I am going to describe something that has not happened for us yet. We have been invited to an apartment with a frontal view of the new Dubai Mall fountain. We are likely to see more than what I am sharing with you here, which is taken off the Internet.

Here is probably the most popular video of the "musical fountain" which clearly outsize and outperform Singapore Sentosa island.

More abandoned cars

The last time there were five abandoned cars downstairs of Shatta Tower. They have all been removed. Two to three weeks ago I began noticing this two rental civics from Thrifty parked at the same place. I might have developed the "Blink" ability for such things. Yesterday, these two cars were caked with dirt and dust. I believed they have been abandoned by their hirers. Thrifty must be missing them.

A great mini-notebook deal

First saw this being offered for 1099 AED or about SGD 440 on friday. Daisy was tempted but we thought probably as good an offer is also available back home.

Saw a more modest version of this machine in ST on saturday morning going at SGD 599 and only with a 16GB SSD (the one above is equipped with a 120GB hard disc).

We decided to pick up one on saturday. While in the queue to pay, there were a few others like minded purchases. One of them tried to jump queue a lady and I had to shoo him off. Yes, people here are less shameless about such behavior.

More Liberalisation

"The government is currently working on a number of laws and regulations that will reduce procedures and lower licensing and business registration costs and make Dubai a more competitive place to work and live in,"

Hamad Bu Amim, Director-General of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Gulf News in an exclusive interview.

Once liberalise you cannot look back. Often you have to liberalise even more aggressively when the economy hits a speed bump, which is what has happened to Dubai. This place doesn't have a choice. That is why those who are patient and careful will reap the benefits.

This how Dubai works. It is like the tides. The expats come and go in waves. At the moment we are experiencing the tide going out. But with each cycle, the emirate must learn to build something that can be built upon in every cycle. This round they have over done it but they should be able to recover. The ones who take the pain are the labourers and expats. The locals as consumers do not matter but the quality of leadership is crucial.

The Global Wealthy

Where do the rich like to live? Here is how they polled as reported by Bloomberg.

The following table is a ranking of the world’s top centers for “mobile wealthy residency,” compiled by Scorpio Partnership.

1. Switzerland
2. London
3. Singapore
4. New York
5. Hong Kong
6. Jersey
7. Cayman
8. Isle of Man
9. Monaco
10. Dubai
11. Guernsey

And here is a report on the same news by Emirates Business 24/7, "Dubai preferred city by mobile rich" Well "prefer" here means ranked number 10? Work hard, they might go up the totem pole, but the media here likes to over play their hand in putting a positive spin on Dubai's achievement. The pun on "Gulf News" is the good news paper. All major papers belong to this club.

Blooming Trees

This particular specie of trees are in bloom right now. Very beautful and some are so full of flowers, you can hardly see the leaves. The next event to behold must be when the flowers are being shed. It would be a wonderful experience to stand under one of these (if it is not too hot!) like I try to do sometimes back home.

Google on Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day, and this is Google for the UAE today.





Now this is from the Google page from Singapore.

I got the idea to compare them when I saw how beautifully created the Singapore's Google landing site was. Google in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia also have this same face.

"Peachicks"

Our inumerable visits to the Mandai Zoo, we always bump into the peacocks and peahens but never their young. It was a pleasant surprise for us to discover these "peachicks" (they should just be called chicks) this morning in the office compound next to the Palm Jumeirah.

I took several shots of the mother and her chicks to share with our girls.

Desert Diplomacy from Singapore

Below is an article from Business Times of May 5, 2009 by Mr. Wong Wai Hon. I am inserting here to bring more balance to my blog posts. Whether you like this place depends very much on your circumstances. If you are young, single and free like this chap, you would like it better. Dubai is positioned to attract the yuppies and dinks. For us we have to strike a balance of how we can successfully return school going kids to the Singapore system.

Outwardly both cities appear successful and prosperous but they cannot be more different. The electricity works and the water flows without fail from the tap but the similarity might just end there. I forgot, you can find domestic help as easily here too, but not doctors. The corporate culture is completely different and to me the greatest contrast is Singapore was built on savings but Dubai on debt. It goes without saying that how you spend your savings and borrowed money is very different.


Desert diplomacy

LETTER FROM DUBAI
Wong Wai Hon International graduate for priority banking, Standard Chartered Bank

ASALAMALAKUM! In Dubai it is common to hear this as a form of greeting and it has certainly helped me to interact with the locals.

I was given the opportunity to work for Standard Chartered Bank in Dubai after my graduation from Singapore Management University in July 2008. Ten months have gone by and I love every moment of my time here. The fact that I had never been away from Singapore for more than a month during my travels, and the thought of working overseas and meeting people from around the world, only made the journey here more exciting for me.

The first thing that struck me when I arrived in Dubai was the high number of expatriates living here. In fact, you will find more expatriates than locals in almost any part of Dubai. On my very first day of work, I was introduced to my fellow international graduates from 12 different countries. I now have friends from over 30 countries and I continue to meet new people every day.

Food is a major draw here, especially for Singaporeans, and I for one explored my options and enjoyed every minute of it. Dubai offers a wide variety of cuisine ? Korean, Japanese, Chinese ? you name it and you will find it here.

My first gastronomical adventure was at a Lebanese restaurant recommended by my Lebanese colleague. I was virtually blown away by it. I ordered chicken tikkas and my colleague taught me to eat the tikkas with hummus, Lebanese bread and fresh vegetables. This particular dish has become a favourite that I enjoy at least once a week.

Driving luxury cars is no longer a dream here in Dubai and many Singaporeans living here have bought cars that they usually would not be able to back home. It is not uncommon to meet up with a group of Singaporeans who are all driving BMWs!

Weekends in Dubai are never boring as there are all kinds of activities. The Desert Safari tours are a must for the adventurous. For racing fans, the auto dome is hugely popular as well. Sports lovers can look forward to great tennis matches in January and the inaugural F1 race in Abu Dhabi in November 2009.

Working in Dubai has its fair share of challenges, and being fresh out of university, I was eager to learn and put my best foot forward. The interactions with clients and staff were fruitful and I learnt that the key to doing well is to be responsive, both towards clients and colleagues. Doing so has helped me build better relationships and trust with them.

I was fortunate to have great support from my bank, as well as fellow Singaporeans living in the UAE. That helped me to settle down in Dubai fairly quickly. It was then I realised that when you are abroad, it is essential to lend support to fellow Singaporeans who are moving over.

That is the reason why I founded the SMU Alumni Chapter in Dubai in 2008. Just as I have benefited from having a network of Singaporeans helping me, I hope to help people adapt to the local culture during my stay in Dubai. For example, students who are here on internships and graduates who have taken up postings in Dubai. To date, I have helped two student groups.

My parting advice to those who are coming to Dubai would be to keep an open mind and venture out of your comfort zone. Only by doing this was I able to adapt quickly to the local environment. It has made my experiences in UAE a memorable chapter in my life, and a great story to tell my children in the future.

Dr. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi: A forthright Arab/Emirati

Just read this article and thought I shared a few things from it. I have also excerpted from it the following.

Source: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/business/?id=31862

“The Arabs claim they understand everything but they do not read; if they do read, they do not understand; if they understand, they plan but do not implement.”

“Unfortunately, we stick to our pride, which certainly reflects on development in our countries. Our economy will not progress because we are in the midst of an economic environment built on the findings of science, research and experience and not pride.”

“We do not drink oil, we drink water, and water is our everlasting problem in the Gulf region because our terrain is but dry desert. We rely on desalinating water from the Gulf, albeit at a high cost."

He emphasizes that water supplies will only meet the needs of 67 percent of the Gulf’s population (with the exception of Oman) by 2015. He quotes UN reports and calls for “considering with caution the cost of relying on desalination of Gulf water, which would near US$25 billion by 2010”;

Dr. Al-Suwaidi compares the Arabs to Israel and noted that the Arabs has failed to invest in creating their own intellectual property. Pride is a real stumbling block to their development and economic progress. If I may add, the Arab attitude is the exact of Singapore and many societies in Asia.

Nothing stands still, for example the Arabs face a looming water crisis which they are yet to do anything about. We know nature will impose its solution if we do not prepare our friendlier alternatives sooner; but before we get to that, wars over water may be what they are staring at. Singapore has been much more far-sighted with our water needs.

The Arabs must learn that oil doesn't save them. It only give them time to find a more sustainable model to build an advanced and prosperous society. Living here, I have am increasingly drawn to the conclusion that even as they diversify their economies, they cannot diversify away from oil in the true sense. That black gold subsidizes their uncompetitive diversification. The same "gold" pays for their unsustainable water resource. As for Dubai, she understands the magical powers of debt as a servant but not its harsh brutality as a master.

Pay cuts coming

An upcoming big event for Dubai I am expecting is significant pay cuts for expats working in government affiliated companies. As usual, you hear the wind carrying it to you first. Most times you can't tell where it blew from. A couple of days in Arabian Business, the hint becomes even stronger. Let me quote a paragraph from the interview with carried by the paper with Dr Omar bin Sulaiman, the vice-chairman of the central bank.

Efficiency is one of the big things that is happening in Dubai over the last few months. Government agencies, semi-government agencies and other sectors came under pressure and started improving their efficiency. We looked at the way we do things and the cost of doing things