The sheikh was always thinking big. He foresaw Dubai becoming a new Hong-Kong or Miami, a prosperous enclave right here in the Gulf, at the heart of the world’s most unstable region. Oil money was flowing in the Gulf, but it was hard to keep it safe. The sheikh saw to it. Dubai became a safe haven where money could come and circulate, be recycled and ultimately multiply, to the delight of the ruling elite from neighboring countries that now avoided Switzerland altogether.
Dubai became a big welcoming free-zone. Shortage of cheap labor? It came pouring in from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and other countries plagued by misery. Leaving everything behind was a sign of strength. Qualified labor was lacking? Great Britain would provide. The sheikh had very strong ties with the United Kingdom. H
