Edward Maya - This is my Life
NBA
DUBAI - A Dubai-based consortium is among four groups interested in acquiring NBA franchise the Detroit Pistons, U.S. daily The Detroit News reported on Saturday.
The newspaper did not give any details about the Dubai-based consortium, but named the other three bidders as sports franchise owner Mike Ilitch, Houston businessman George Postolos and Beverly Hills billionaire Tom Gores.
The Pistons are valued at about $475 million, The Detroit News said, but questioned whether the price tag is realistic given the tough economy.
NBA legend Magic Johnson, a Michigan native, has expressed interest in being part of the Pistons ownership group and has held talks with interested parties, The Detroit News said.
The Pistons have won three NBA Championships in the franchise’s history, including back-to-back wins in 1989 and 1990 and another in 2004.
Source : http://en.news.maktoob.com/20090000507088/Dubai_consortium_eyes_NBA_franchise/Article.htm
Dubai Real estate
Your future with Dubai real estate
Many people look to their futures with amassed experience and vision for potential opportunities. But even when personal and professional strengths emerge and are clearly identified, many visible areas of opportunity are oversaturated with competition.
The aggressive professional is constantly looking ahead and around for the ideal place to make their mark and establish their careers. The kinds of places and areas that foster an assertive professional need to be identified respective to that career.
If an individual has a focus in real estate, there are many pros and cons to the finding a niche or core set of products and being flexible in terms of identifying capital investors and shaping deals or projects that support a robust growth model.
Career professionals in real estate need a “hunting ground“ composed of sales properties and sales tools with conditions present including excellent prospects, sustained demand, and well financed opportunities continuing for an ongoing length of time in that market to fuel consulting, sales, construction, banking, or lending careers.
Nowhere in the world right now presents the same opportunity for real estate and banking professionals as in Dubai of the United Arab Emirates. For real estate professionals working abroad in markets with acceptable risk and scrupulous clients, the best kinds of projects are reaching fiscal and tourism maturity in Dubai.
For a geographical tourist spot like Dubai with growing residential and capital futures a stake, the myriad opportunities of Dubai and its construction, financial, and real estate branches of operations may be limitless. Not to mention the scope of marketing any one of a dozen globally unique properties to the most discriminating and luxurious buyers.
Starting or extending a career in Dubai would mean enlarging your prospect base globally. And the view isn’t bad either. Even commuting from suburbs from metropolitan Dubai has its benefits. Imagine driving into work each day with a video camera because your friends and former colleagues can’t believe where you work. Dubai is that enviable an address, even just to work at.
Imagine taking clients to dinner at the Armani Hotel in the Burj Dubai, not only the world’s tallest building but with interior decoration by Giorgio Armani as well. Imagine taking a stroll during your lunch break in practically the most beautiful place on earth.
For those who had not considered working and living abroad in Dubai , ten minutes looking at the pictures should change your mind.
http://www.eyeofdubai.com/v1/articles/article_detail.asp?artid=424
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second largest city in the United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi Persian Gulf
Abu Dhabi houses important offices of the federal government, and is the seat for theUnited Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi
Today the city is the country's center of political, industrial activities, and a major cultural, and commercial centre due to its position as the capital.Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi is home to important financial institutions such as the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the Central Bank of theUnited Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi houses important offices of the federal government, and is the seat for the
Today the city is the country's center of political, industrial activities, and a major cultural, and commercial centre due to its position as the capital.
Abu Dhabi is home to important financial institutions such as the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the Central Bank of the
Jobs Dubai
Freelancing
There are plenty of contract and freelance jobs in Dubai, many in the construction industry, shipbuilding and ship repairs, and the oil industry, including offshore installations. However, the majority of contract and freelance appointments are made outside Dubai, and it’s rarely possible to arrive in Dubai without a job and find one locally.
Temporary & Casual WorkOwing to the number of expatriate workers on short-term contracts, there isn’t much casual and temporary work available, and you shouldn’t travel to Dubai with the purpose of finding temporary or casual work.
The other side
It is true to an extent that Dubai''s building boom has been made possible by some 500,000 migrant construction workers, most from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Many work 12 hours a day, six days a week, in extremely hot temperatures that have led to illness and, in some cases, death. The workers live in crowded camps, with eight or more men sharing one small room. Researchers say that the average migrant worker receives a salary of about $175 a month. There is no minimum wage in Dubai, and some workers make as little as $5 a day.
There are also instances where employers in Dubai abuse workers by withholding their wages for their first two months, along with their passports as "security" to keep them from quitting.
But the migrant workers have little freedom to quit since many have borrowed thousands of dollars to get the jobs to begin with, paying "recruiters" visa and travel fees, which under U.A.E. law should be paid by the employers, not the construction workers.
When workers arrive in Dubai, the construction jobs sometimes pay less than the recruiters originally promised. Desperate to repay their loans, the workers in those cases are trapped. And under U.A.E. law, it is illegal to switch jobs without permission from your employer. Unions are illegal, and striking workers have been deported. But it is also true that construction wages and conditions are comparable, if not superior to those in neighboring countries. And the U.A.E government is making efforts to improve conditions for workers.
A law has been passed to halt construction between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. during the scorching summer months when temperatures reach well over 100 degrees. The government is also trying to legalize trade unions would be legalized.
Recently, Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, ordered stricter enforcement of the country''s labor laws. In addition, he called for improved medical care for workers, a special court to address their labor complaints and an increase in the number of inspectors monitoring camps and workplaces.
They say that history is being written here. With possibly the tallest building, the biggest shopping mall, the largest airport, and the biggest entertainment park, Dubai, perhaps can offer you the greatest job of your dreams.
http://www.eyeofdubai.com/v1/articles/article_detail.asp?artid=415
There are plenty of contract and freelance jobs in Dubai, many in the construction industry, shipbuilding and ship repairs, and the oil industry, including offshore installations. However, the majority of contract and freelance appointments are made outside Dubai, and it’s rarely possible to arrive in Dubai without a job and find one locally.
Temporary & Casual WorkOwing to the number of expatriate workers on short-term contracts, there isn’t much casual and temporary work available, and you shouldn’t travel to Dubai with the purpose of finding temporary or casual work.
The other side
It is true to an extent that Dubai''s building boom has been made possible by some 500,000 migrant construction workers, most from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Many work 12 hours a day, six days a week, in extremely hot temperatures that have led to illness and, in some cases, death. The workers live in crowded camps, with eight or more men sharing one small room. Researchers say that the average migrant worker receives a salary of about $175 a month. There is no minimum wage in Dubai, and some workers make as little as $5 a day.
There are also instances where employers in Dubai abuse workers by withholding their wages for their first two months, along with their passports as "security" to keep them from quitting.
But the migrant workers have little freedom to quit since many have borrowed thousands of dollars to get the jobs to begin with, paying "recruiters" visa and travel fees, which under U.A.E. law should be paid by the employers, not the construction workers.
When workers arrive in Dubai, the construction jobs sometimes pay less than the recruiters originally promised. Desperate to repay their loans, the workers in those cases are trapped. And under U.A.E. law, it is illegal to switch jobs without permission from your employer. Unions are illegal, and striking workers have been deported. But it is also true that construction wages and conditions are comparable, if not superior to those in neighboring countries. And the U.A.E government is making efforts to improve conditions for workers.
A law has been passed to halt construction between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. during the scorching summer months when temperatures reach well over 100 degrees. The government is also trying to legalize trade unions would be legalized.
Recently, Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, ordered stricter enforcement of the country''s labor laws. In addition, he called for improved medical care for workers, a special court to address their labor complaints and an increase in the number of inspectors monitoring camps and workplaces.
They say that history is being written here. With possibly the tallest building, the biggest shopping mall, the largest airport, and the biggest entertainment park, Dubai, perhaps can offer you the greatest job of your dreams.
http://www.eyeofdubai.com/v1/articles/article_detail.asp?artid=415
Jobs Dubai
The Pay With the amount of information in the media about the rate of population growth in Dubai anyone would think it was an emirate where the streets are paved with gold. Well, while it’s true that a lot of people are moving to Dubai for work, what is not true is that all jobs in Dubai pay fantastic salaries!
Those who work in Dubai work long hours for up to six days a week, and in certain industries salaries are impressive – but in other job sectors wages are on a par with or worse than the income that can be earned elsewhere. Therefore, those looking for jobs in Dubai should take care to do proper research and due diligence before committing themselves to a career move.
Salaries in Dubai are usually similar to or greater than those paid in western countries.
But because the region has no personal taxation, net income is usually much greater, which is one of the major attractions of working in Dubai. In addition to their salary, contract workers are awarded an ‘indemnity’ at the end of the contract period. The indemnity is usually based on basic salary excluding any bonuses. The indemnity can be a significant amount of money if you’ve been working in Dubai for a long time, and many people manage either to accumulate a reasonable financial cushion or to live the high life. If you’re clever and disciplined, you should be able to do some of both. The indemnity has nothing to do with insurance but is an end-of-contract bonus which is required by law to be paid to expatriate workers as a sort of ‘thank-you’ for being of service to the state. (It’s also known as ‘end of service benefits’.) Indemnity scales usually amount to 15 (in some cases 20) days of basic pay per year of employment for the first three years and thereafter a month’s salary per year of employment. Sometimes, Arab companies delay the payment of salaries, cash flow problems being passed on to their staff. In this event, you have little alternative but to wait.
Of course salary is not necessarily the be all and end all of job hunting – especially in Dubai where it’s usual for an employer to present a remuneration package offer to a potential candidate. Such a package may include a housing allowance, health care benefits and even money towards children’s education.
All the major recruitment companies have a base in Dubai as there is a large and expanding job market in the UAE. It is possible to use recruitment companies’ websites to get a feel for the jobs being offered and rates of pay available in your particular industry sector. Another way to get a feel for the level of income you could earn from a job in Dubai is by researching which employers from your industry are based in the UAE and then writing to their personnel department with your CV or resume and asking about suitable vacancies.
http://www.eyeofdubai.com/v1/articles/article_detail.asp?artid=415
Those who work in Dubai work long hours for up to six days a week, and in certain industries salaries are impressive – but in other job sectors wages are on a par with or worse than the income that can be earned elsewhere. Therefore, those looking for jobs in Dubai should take care to do proper research and due diligence before committing themselves to a career move.
Salaries in Dubai are usually similar to or greater than those paid in western countries.
But because the region has no personal taxation, net income is usually much greater, which is one of the major attractions of working in Dubai. In addition to their salary, contract workers are awarded an ‘indemnity’ at the end of the contract period. The indemnity is usually based on basic salary excluding any bonuses. The indemnity can be a significant amount of money if you’ve been working in Dubai for a long time, and many people manage either to accumulate a reasonable financial cushion or to live the high life. If you’re clever and disciplined, you should be able to do some of both. The indemnity has nothing to do with insurance but is an end-of-contract bonus which is required by law to be paid to expatriate workers as a sort of ‘thank-you’ for being of service to the state. (It’s also known as ‘end of service benefits’.) Indemnity scales usually amount to 15 (in some cases 20) days of basic pay per year of employment for the first three years and thereafter a month’s salary per year of employment. Sometimes, Arab companies delay the payment of salaries, cash flow problems being passed on to their staff. In this event, you have little alternative but to wait.
Of course salary is not necessarily the be all and end all of job hunting – especially in Dubai where it’s usual for an employer to present a remuneration package offer to a potential candidate. Such a package may include a housing allowance, health care benefits and even money towards children’s education.
All the major recruitment companies have a base in Dubai as there is a large and expanding job market in the UAE. It is possible to use recruitment companies’ websites to get a feel for the jobs being offered and rates of pay available in your particular industry sector. Another way to get a feel for the level of income you could earn from a job in Dubai is by researching which employers from your industry are based in the UAE and then writing to their personnel department with your CV or resume and asking about suitable vacancies.
http://www.eyeofdubai.com/v1/articles/article_detail.asp?artid=415
Jobs Dubai
Starting a Business There are three major considerations to be made by those thinking of starting a business in Dubai:
1. You must have a good knowledge of the region.
2. The law requires that you have a local partner who holds the majority interest. The local partner, be it a company or an individual, doesn’t need to contribute to the start-up investment or participate financially at all.
3. When the business is registered, you must show the Ministry of Commerce that you have a substantial sum of money to invest.
An experienced lawyer will guide you through the registration complexities and his help will be vital in protecting your interests. This applies whether you’re opening a modest shop or a major enterprise. An alternative to starting a new business is to buy a going concern, which is a more straightforward process, as it doesn’t involve lodging capital, obtaining sponsorship or registration.
Many people have developed successful, highly profitable businesses in Dubai.
The experience of doing business with Arabs is likely to be pleasant and friendly, and the trust built up on both sides will be long-lasting.
Where to stay
Well, once you get here, you need a place to stay, so if the company you''re working for hasn''t already arrange this, then you need to deal with this quickly.
Dubai landlords normally require that you pay the entire year''s rent before moving in, or else with 2, 3, or 4 post dated checks.
http://www.eyeofdubai.com/v1/articles/article_detail.asp?artid=415
1. You must have a good knowledge of the region.
2. The law requires that you have a local partner who holds the majority interest. The local partner, be it a company or an individual, doesn’t need to contribute to the start-up investment or participate financially at all.
3. When the business is registered, you must show the Ministry of Commerce that you have a substantial sum of money to invest.
An experienced lawyer will guide you through the registration complexities and his help will be vital in protecting your interests. This applies whether you’re opening a modest shop or a major enterprise. An alternative to starting a new business is to buy a going concern, which is a more straightforward process, as it doesn’t involve lodging capital, obtaining sponsorship or registration.
Many people have developed successful, highly profitable businesses in Dubai.
The experience of doing business with Arabs is likely to be pleasant and friendly, and the trust built up on both sides will be long-lasting.
Where to stay
Well, once you get here, you need a place to stay, so if the company you''re working for hasn''t already arrange this, then you need to deal with this quickly.
Dubai landlords normally require that you pay the entire year''s rent before moving in, or else with 2, 3, or 4 post dated checks.
http://www.eyeofdubai.com/v1/articles/article_detail.asp?artid=415
Jobs Dubai
Getting jobs in Dubai, as in most other places, is neither particularly easy nor difficult. Yet, Dubai, the fastest growing city in the world, where more than 50% the world''s supply of cranes are at work, and where your income is not taxed, has its attractions.
The oil industry has attracted a large influx of foreign workers, who now make up more than three quarters of the population. Foreign workers in the UAE are not regarded as immigrants, but temporary workers who come to the country with the intention of leaving once their contract ends.
A city that is growing in leaps and bounds, and a city that has recently won the Best Economic Potential Award, Best Quality of Life for Expatriates Award, Best Telecommunications & Transport Award, and Most Business Friendly Award, Dubai offers plenty of job opportunities.
Where & How to lookIf your are already in Dubai looking for a job, try the most widely used means of searching for job vacancies by looking through the daily newspapers, and Gulf News and Khaleej Times include their appointments sections online. Gulf News has its appointments section separated into two sections, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and Dubai and the Northern Emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain [UAQ], Ras Al Khaimah [RAK], and Fujairah), and then sub-sectioned by job industry/category. Khaleej Times also hosts the daily PDF File prepared by NADIA recruitment agency, one of the gulf''s leading recruitment agencies that has offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
Another good way of approach is to try contact your fellow countrymen. They can help you to build your network and get the desired job in the UAE.
Recruitment consultants or agents play a major role in the placement of workers in a host of occupations in Dubai.
In view of the distance between Dubai and the countries that supply many of the region’s employees, it’s necessary for agents to act as middlemen. Private recruitment consultants and headhunters in western countries (and particularly in London and New York) deal with most managerial jobs in Dubai, while agencies in India (particularly Bombay), Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Korea, the Philippines (Manila) and Thailand (Bangkok) supply most of the enormous number of manual laborers employed in Dubai’s numerous construction projects.
Agencies tend to specialize in particular areas of work, e.g. medical and nursing staff, computer personnel, accountants, construction managers, executive and office staff, engineering and the technical trades. Dubai has no equivalent of the nationally-organized job centers found in western countries, and it’s the responsibility of the Ministries of Labor and Social Affairs to deal with employment.
Self-employment
If you wish to be self-employed in Dubai, your major hurdle is to find a sponsor. In order to find a sponsor, you need to visit the region and talk to local people. This is obviously also necessary in order to check market conditions in the area that interests you. Sponsorship can be provided by a legally registered company or by an individual.
Negotiating with the sponsor will require some hard bargaining. The fee you pay him is likely to be either a flat annual rate paid in regular installments or a percentage of your revenue. You’re recommended to consult a local lawyer regarding the proposed deal with your sponsor.
The oil industry has attracted a large influx of foreign workers, who now make up more than three quarters of the population. Foreign workers in the UAE are not regarded as immigrants, but temporary workers who come to the country with the intention of leaving once their contract ends.
A city that is growing in leaps and bounds, and a city that has recently won the Best Economic Potential Award, Best Quality of Life for Expatriates Award, Best Telecommunications & Transport Award, and Most Business Friendly Award, Dubai offers plenty of job opportunities.
Where & How to lookIf your are already in Dubai looking for a job, try the most widely used means of searching for job vacancies by looking through the daily newspapers, and Gulf News and Khaleej Times include their appointments sections online. Gulf News has its appointments section separated into two sections, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and Dubai and the Northern Emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain [UAQ], Ras Al Khaimah [RAK], and Fujairah), and then sub-sectioned by job industry/category. Khaleej Times also hosts the daily PDF File prepared by NADIA recruitment agency, one of the gulf''s leading recruitment agencies that has offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
Another good way of approach is to try contact your fellow countrymen. They can help you to build your network and get the desired job in the UAE.
Recruitment consultants or agents play a major role in the placement of workers in a host of occupations in Dubai.
In view of the distance between Dubai and the countries that supply many of the region’s employees, it’s necessary for agents to act as middlemen. Private recruitment consultants and headhunters in western countries (and particularly in London and New York) deal with most managerial jobs in Dubai, while agencies in India (particularly Bombay), Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Korea, the Philippines (Manila) and Thailand (Bangkok) supply most of the enormous number of manual laborers employed in Dubai’s numerous construction projects.
Agencies tend to specialize in particular areas of work, e.g. medical and nursing staff, computer personnel, accountants, construction managers, executive and office staff, engineering and the technical trades. Dubai has no equivalent of the nationally-organized job centers found in western countries, and it’s the responsibility of the Ministries of Labor and Social Affairs to deal with employment.
Self-employment
If you wish to be self-employed in Dubai, your major hurdle is to find a sponsor. In order to find a sponsor, you need to visit the region and talk to local people. This is obviously also necessary in order to check market conditions in the area that interests you. Sponsorship can be provided by a legally registered company or by an individual.
Negotiating with the sponsor will require some hard bargaining. The fee you pay him is likely to be either a flat annual rate paid in regular installments or a percentage of your revenue. You’re recommended to consult a local lawyer regarding the proposed deal with your sponsor.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
The Aviation Club Tennis CentreThe Aviation Club Tennis Centre has been home to The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships since its inauguration in 1993. 2010 hosted the 18th anniversary of the men’s open and the 10th anniversary of the women’s open. Spectators are welcome to enjoy the picturesque surroundings of the Aviation Club, that include the hugely popular Irish Village (voted best pub for the past four years by What’s On! magazine) and Century Village. Apart from its vast variety of dining options, the Aviation Club offers an extensive range of recreational and entertainment facilities such as their very own gym and the Akaru Spa.
The Aviation Clubhouse is restricted to members, players, officials, VIPs and corporate sponsors only for the week of the tournament.
The Dubai Tennis Stadium
Officially inaugurated in February 1996, the Dubai Tennis Stadium has been voted “Best Venue” by players on the ATP World Tour for three consecutive years. The stadium has become a magnet for people seeking entertainment in Dubai. Located in the grounds of the Aviation Club Tennis Centre, the stadium is completely self-contained. The stadium comprises a 5,000 seat centre court, VIP area and Royal enclosure, press office, press interview rooms, Sportsworld Media Group offices, Sony Ericsson WTA and ATP World Tour offices, TV commentary boxes and changing rooms.
When not being used for the Dubai Tennis Championships the stadium is also a leading concert venue, having played to acts such as Sting, Gerri Haliwell, Bryan Adams, Enrique Iglesias, Gloria Gaynor, Coolio, Shaggy, Sash, Maxi Priest, Big Mountain and Bally Sagoo, while former world boxing champion, Chris Eubank, staged his first Middle East bout on centre court in 1997.
http://www.eyeofdubai.com/v1/articles/article_detail.asp?artid=442
Dubai Shopping Festival
Dubai Shopping Festival was launched in 1996 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, to position Dubai as a leading tourist destination and to stimulate the economic and tourism sectors in the city. The concept was the first of its kind in the region and proved to be highly successful mainly due to the close cooperation between the government and the private sectors.
Dubai Shopping Festival is one of the international events organised annually by the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (formerly DSF Office). It has become a global attraction today and a distinguished landmark in the global festivals industry, offering the best in shopping, winning and family entertainment. The DSF theme of ''One World, One Family, One Festival'' is a reflection of the event''s universal appeal and attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year.
Dubai Shopping Festival was initiated with two key objectives in mind: to promote Dubai as the ultimate global shopping and tourist destination by creating world class events and retail promotions, and to set the benchmark for events and festivals around the world
http://www.eyeofdubai.com/v1/articles/article_detail.asp?artid=441
Dubai International Film Festival DIFF
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is the leading film festival in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Since its inception in 2004, the festival has served as an influential platform for Arab filmmakers and talent at an international level, by spearheading the cinema movement in the region.
Now in its seventh year, DIFF has established itself as a major international festival, while continuing to serve as a premier showcase event for Arab cinema, and contributing to the development and growth of the regional industry.
DIFF has also extended its platform to present and honour excellence in cinema from countries in Asia and Africa. Independent and established talents from Asian and African countries with a burgeoning cinema culture are given prominent standing in the festival’s programme and competition.
DIFF’s pioneering initiatives such as the Muhr Awards, Dubai Film Connection and Dubai Film Market have enriched professional experiences in the region, while also raising the profile of regional works on the world stage.
The festival has left an indelible impression on its guests, industry professionals and viewers, through its events, workshops, seminars and principal mandate of presenting the finest selection of cinema from all over the world. DIFF is a frontrunner in promoting better cultural understanding through creative achievements in fil
http://www.eyeofdubai.com/v1/articles/article_detail.asp?artid=436
Dubai Culture
The UAE culture mainly revolves around the religion of Islam and traditional Arab and Bedouin culture. In contrast, the city of Dubai is a highly cosmopolitan society with a diverse and vibrant culture. The influence of Islamic and Arab culture on its architecture, music, attire, cuisine and lifestyle are very prominent as well. Five times every day, Muslims are called to prayer from the minarets of mosques which are scattered around the country. Since 2006, the weekend has been Friday-Saturday, as a compromise between Friday's holiness to Muslims and the Western weekend of Saturday-Sunday.
In 2005, 84% of the population of metropolitan Dubai was foreign-born, about half of them from India. The city's cultural imprint as a small, ethnically homogenous pearling community was changed with the arrival of other ethnic groups and nationals—first by the Iranians in the early 1900s, and later by Indians and Pakistanis in the 1960s. Dubai has been criticised for perpetuating a class-based society, where migrant workers are in the lower classes.
Major holidays in Dubai include Eid al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and National Day (2 December ), which marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates. Annual entertainment events such as the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) and Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) attract over 4 million visitors from across the region and generate revenues in excess of $2.7 billion. Large shopping malls in the city, such as Deira City Centre, Mirdiff City Centre, BurJuman, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall and Ibn Battuta Mall as well as traditional souks attract shoppers from the region.
Burj al Arab
The Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates managed by the Jumeirah Group and built by Said Khalil. Its construction started in 1994 and ended in 1999. It was designed by Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC. The hotel cost $650,000,000 to build. At 321 metres (1,053 ft) and 60 floors, it was the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel until being succeeded by Rose Rayhaan by Rotana in 23 December 2009, again in Dubai. The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai's urban transformation and to mimic the sail of a boat.
Burj Al Arab characterizes itself as the world's only "7-star" property, a designation considered by travel professionals to be hyperbole. All major travel guides and hotel rating systems have a 5-star maximum, which some hotels attempt to out-do by ascribing themselves "6-star" status. Yet according to the Burj Al Arab's official site, the hotel is a "5-star deluxe hotel".
The Burj Al Arab was built to resemble the sail of a Dhow, a type of Arabian vessel. Its design features a steel exoskeleton wrapped around a reinforced concrete tower. Two wings spread in a V to form a vast mast, while the space between them is enclosed in a massive atrium by a teflon-coated fibreglass sail. During the day, the white fabric allows a soft, milky light inside the hotel, whereas a clear, glass front would produce blinding amounts of glare and a constantly increasing temperature. At night, both inside and outside, the fabric is lit by colour changing lights. Near the top of the building is a suspended helipad supported by a cantilever which has featured some of the hotel's notable publicity events.
The hotel's interior was designed by Kunan Chew. It features the tallest atrium lobby in the world at 180 metres. It is formed by the building's V-shaped span, dominates the interior of the hotel, and takes up over 1/3 of the interior space. Despite its size, the Burj Al Arab holds only 28 double-story floors which accommodate 202 bedroom suites. It is one of the most expensive hotels in the world. The cost of staying at a suite begins at $1,000 per night. The Royal Suite is the most expensive, at $28,000 per night.
One of its restaurants, Al Muntaha, is located 200 metres above the Persian Gulf, offering a view of Dubai. It is supported by a full cantilever that extends 27 metres from either side of the mast, and is accessed by a panoramic elevator. Another restaurant, the Al Mahara, which is accessed by a simulated submarine voyage, features a large seawater aquarium, holding roughly 35,000 cubic feet of water. The tank, made of acrylic glass in order to withstand the water pressure, is about 18 centimetres thick.
Dubai Architecture
Dubai has a rich collection of buildings and structures of
various architectural styles. Many modern interpretations of Islamic
architecture can be found here, due to a boom in construction and architectural
innovation in the Arab World in general, and in Dubai in particular, supported
not only by top Arab or international architectural and engineering design
firms design firms such as Al Hashemi and Aedas, but also by top firms of New
York and Chicago. As a result of this boom, modern Islamic - and world -
architecture has literally been taken to new levels in skyscraper building
design and technology. Dubai now boasts more completed or topped-out
skyscrapers higher than 2/3 km, 1/3 km, or 1/4 km than any other city. A
culmination point was reached in 2010 with the completion of the Burj Khalifa
(Khalifa Tower), now by far the world's tallest building at 828 m (2,716 feet).
The Burj Khalifa's design is derived from the patterning systems embodied in
Islamic architecture, with the triple-lobed footprint of the building based on
an abstracted version of the desert flower hymenocallis which is native to the
Dubai region.The completion of the Khalifa Tower, following the construction
boom that began in the 1980s, accelerated in the 1990s, and took on a rapid
pace of construction unparalled in modern human history during the decade of
the 2000s, leaving Dubai with the world's tallest skyline as of January 4, 2010.
Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is the world's largest shopping mall based on total area and sixth largest by gross leasable area. Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, it is part of the 20-billion-dollar Burj Khalifa complex, and includes 1,200 shops. Access to the mall is provided via Doha Street, rebuilt as a double-decker road in April 2009.
Twice delayed, Dubai Mall opened on November 4, 2008, with about 600 retailers, marking the world's largest-ever mall opening in retail history. However it is not the largest in gross leasable space, and is surpassed in that category by several malls including the South China Mall, which is the world's largest, Golden Resources Mall, SM City North Edsa, and SM Mall of Asia.
The Dubai Mall has recorded a visitor turn-out of more than 60,000 tickets sold for the Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre in the first five days, following its opening. The Dubai Mall hosted over 37 million visitors in its first year of operation,and attracts more than 750,000 visitors every week.
Dubai Tourism and retail
Tourism
Tourism is an important part of the Dubai government's strategy to maintain the flow of foreign cash into the emirate. Dubai's lure for tourists is based mainly on shopping, but also on its possession of other ancient and modern attractions. As of 2007, Dubai was the 8th most visited city of the world. Dubai is expected to accommodate over 15 million tourists by 2015. Dubai is the most populous emirate of the seven emirates of United Arab Emirates. It is distinct from other members of the UAE in that a large part of the emirate's revenues are from tourism.
Dubai has been called the "shopping capital of the Middle East". Dubai alone has more than 70 shopping malls, including the world's 7th largest shopping mall, Dubai Mall. The city draws large numbers of shopping tourists from countries within the region and from as far as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. While boutiques, some electronics shops, department stores and supermarkets operate on a fixed-price basis, most other outlets consider friendly negotiation a way of life.
Dubai is also known for its souk districts located on either side of the creek. Traditionally, dhows from the Far East, China, Sri Lanka, and India would discharge their cargo and the goods would be bargained over in the souks adjacent to the docks. Many boutiques and jewellery stores are also found in the city. Dubai is known as "the City of Gold" and Gold Souk in Deira houses nearly 250 gold retail shops. Dubai Duty Free at the Dubai International Airport offers merchandise catering to the multinational passengers using the airport.
Dubai Sports City
The Dubai Sports City is a $4 billion, 50,000,000 square feet (4,600,000 m2) mixed-use sports city currently being constructed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The city will consist of apartment buildings as well as several sports facilities. The first structures opened in late 2007. Many people believed it was going to be used in Dubai's possible bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, but Dubai never submitted a bid.
Dubai Properties is master developer of this project for infrastructure. The project is expected to be complete in 2011.
Some facts :
- The world's first integrated sports city
- Formally launched in March 2004 as a cornerstone project of Dubailand
- Dubai Sports City is set on 50,000,000 square feet (4,600,000 m2) and incorporate world-class sporting venues and sports academies, as well as residential and commercial properties and all related amenities such as hotels, entertainment outlets, schools, medical facilities and retail opportunities
- Total project cost - US$4 billion
- The first completed facility in Dubai Sports City is the 18-hole championship golf course, The Els Club, Ernie Els’ first golf course design concept in the Middle East, which is now open for play to members.
- Estimated population of 70,000 within Dubai Sports City
Work in dubai for foreigners
While Dubai tries to promote itself as the business and entertainment capital of the world, the government has a complex and at times frustrating work permit procedure that one should not attempt on their own unless they have prior experience. Therefore, it is best to go through official channels when looking for work in Dubai as spot inspections are frequent and if found working illegally, both the employee and the employer will be subject to fines and even deportation.
All the necessary forms and documents are written and processed in Arabic and is best left to a professional or a "P.R.O" to handle your paperwork.
Different nationalities have different rules about changing jobs and its frequency. South Asian Nationals have to work for a minimum of 1 year before looking out for another opening elsewhere or face a 6 month ban on working in the country. Western European and North American nationals however, need not worry as this rule does not apply to them.
With the price of rentals ever soaring in Dubai and neighbouring Emirates, it is a good idea to discuss a housing allowance when negotiating a pay package.
Despite all this, there are a few upsides, Dubai companies are generous with holidays averaging almost 39 days a year of paid vacation (including public holidays), a round trip ticket home once a year (depending on your contract) and most importantly all your earnings are 100% tax free!
Recruitment fraud is quite pervasive in this part of the world. Read your employment contract carefully before signing and do not pay any fees to recruitment agencies, as they are usually paid by the companies. Your passport is your personal property and cannot be withheld by the employer unless you are in a position of trust or are handling large sums of money.
Food in Dubai
Arabic food is very popular and is available everywhere in the city, from the small shawarma diners in Deira and Al Karama to the restaurants in Dubai's hotels. Fast food, South Asian, and Chinese cuisines are also very popular and are widely available. The sale and consumption of pork, though not illegal, is regulated and is sold only to non-Muslims, in designated areas of supermarkets and airports. Similarly, the sale of alcoholic beverages is regulated. A liquor permit is required to purchase alcohol; however, alcohol is available in bars and restaurants within hotels. Shisha and qahwa boutiques are also popular in Dubai. Dubai is known for its nightlife. Clubs and bars are found mostly in hotels due to the liquor laws. The New York Times described Dubai as "the kind of city where you might run into Michael Jordan at the Buddha Bar or stumble across Naomi Campbell celebrating her birthday with a multiday bash".
Emirates
Emirates is the national airline of
Emiratesavenue
One of the most popular online shopping website from Dubai, UAE is :emiratesavenue.com . Provides healthy and beauty products, creams, essential oils and perfumes.
http://www.emiratesavenue.com/buy-in-dubai/
Emirates Stadium
The Emirates Stadium formerly Ashburton Grove, is a football stadium located in London and is the current home of Arsenal FC. The stadium opened in July 2006 and has an all seated capacity of 60,355, making it the second largest football club stadium in England behind Manchester United's Old Trafford, and the third largest stadium of any kind in London, after Wembley and Twickenham, and overall the fifth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom.
The magnificent Emirates Stadium has become a landmark piece of modern architecture dominating the north London skyline. One of the most technologically advanced arenas in world football, Emirates Stadium provides a stage befitting for Arsenal's ambition to remain one of the world's greatest clubs. Aside from the world-class football, the venue boasts an array of bright, modern and versatile suites, all with impressive views of the pitch.
The magnificent Emirates Stadium has become a landmark piece of modern architecture dominating the north London skyline. One of the most technologically advanced arenas in world football, Emirates Stadium provides a stage befitting for Arsenal's ambition to remain one of the world's greatest clubs. Aside from the world-class football, the venue boasts an array of bright, modern and versatile suites, all with impressive views of the pitch.
Teamed with leading-edge audio visual infrastructure, excellent transport links and a dedicated, experienced Events Team, Emirates Stadium has rapidly established itself as one of the UK's leading meetings and events venues.
Located minutes from central London and St Pancras International Emirates Stadium has excellent transport links making it easily accessible from the City, the West End and Europe.Getafe
The Royal Emirates Group is to buy the Primera Liga club Getafe for about €90m (£80m), the Dubai firm has announced, reacting to reports linking it to the purchase of a Spanish club.
REG, an investment firm chaired by Sheikh Butti Bin Suhail al-Maktoum, said in statement the club would be named "Team Dubai", although it was not clear whether that would become the team's official name.
The deal would be the third for a La Liga club involving a non-Spanish buyer in the past year following the sale of Málaga to a member of the Qatari royal family and the purchase of Racing Santander by an Indian businessman.
REG said Dubai's minister of culture, the Spanish ambassador and "many other corporate icons and members of the ruling family of Dubai" would attend an event scheduled for Thursday to announce the deal.Getafe are 14th in La Liga with 37 points from 32 games and hovering just above the relegation zone.
Dubai Climate
The climate of Dubai features a hot arid climate. Summers in Dubai are extremely hot, windy and dry, with an average high around 40 °C (104 °F) and overnight lows around 30 °C (86 °F). The highest recorded temperature in Dubai is 49 °C (120 °F).
Most days are sunny throughout the year. Winters are cool and short with an average high of 23 °C (73 °F) and overnight lows of 14 °C (57 °F). Precipitation, however, has been increasing in the last few decades with accumulated rain reaching 150 mm (5.91 in) per year.The climate of Dubai is an arid subtropical climate because of its location within the Northern desert belt.The weather in Dubai can bring short and irregular rainfall as is typical for the Middle East. Most of the rainfall in Dubai occurs between December, January, February and March.The weather between December and March remains cool and is considered as most comfortable climatic conditions throughout the year.
Most days are sunny throughout the year. Winters are cool and short with an average high of 23 °C (73 °F) and overnight lows of 14 °C (57 °F). Precipitation, however, has been increasing in the last few decades with accumulated rain reaching 150 mm (5.91 in) per year.The climate of Dubai is an arid subtropical climate because of its location within the Northern desert belt.The weather in Dubai can bring short and irregular rainfall as is typical for the Middle East. Most of the rainfall in Dubai occurs between December, January, February and March.The weather between December and March remains cool and is considered as most comfortable climatic conditions throughout the year.
Geography of Dubai
Dubai.Geography
Dubai is situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates and is roughly at sea level (16 m/52 ft above). The emirate of Dubai shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Hatta, a minor exclave of the emirate, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates of Ajman (in the west) and Ras Al Khaimah (in the north). The Persian Gulf borders the western coast of the emirate. Dubai is positioned at 25°16′11″N 55°18′34″E / 25.2697°N 55.3095°E and covers an area of 1,588 sq mi (4,110 km2), which represents a significant expansion beyond its initial 1,500 sq mi (3,900 km2) designation due to land reclamation from the sea.
Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert. However, the topography of Dubai is significantly different from that of the southern portion of the UAE in that much of Dubai's landscape is highlighted by sandy desert patterns, while gravel deserts dominate much of the southern region of the country.The sand consists mostly of crushed shell and coral and is fine, clean and white. East of the city, the salt-crusted coastal plains, known as sabkha, give way to a north-south running line of dunes. Farther east, the dunes grow larger and are tinged red with iron oxide.
The flat sandy desert gives way to the Western Hajar Mountains, which run alongside Dubai's border with Oman at Hatta. The Western Hajar chain has an arid, jagged and shattered landscape, whose mountains rise to about 1,300 meters in some places. Dubai has no natural river bodies or oases; however, Dubai does have a natural inlet, Dubai Creek, which has been dredged to make it deep enough for large vessels to pass through. Dubai also has multiple gorges and waterholes which dot the base of the Western Al Hajar mountains. A vast sea of sand dunes covers much of southern Dubai, and eventually leads into the desert known as The Empty Quarter. Seismically, Dubai is in a very stable zone—the nearest seismic fault line, the Zagros Fault, is 200 km (124.27 mi) from the UAE and is unlikely to have any seismic impact on Dubai.Experts also predict that the possibility of a tsunami in the region is minimal because the Persian Gulf waters are not deep enough to trigger a tsunami.
The sandy desert surrounding the city supports wild grasses and occasional date palms. Desert hyacinths grow in the sabkha plains east of the city, while acacia and ghaf trees grow in the flat plains within the proximity of the Western Al Hajar mountains. Several indigenous trees such as the date palm and neem as well as imported trees like the eucalypts grow in Dubai's natural parks. The houbara bustard, striped hyena, caracal, desert fox, falcon and Arabian oryx are common in Dubai's desert. Dubai is on the migration path between Europe, Asia and Africa, and more than 320 migratory bird species pass through the emirate in spring and autumn. The waters of Dubai are home to more than 300 species of fish, including the hammour. The typical marine life off the Dubai coast includes tropical Fish, jellyfish, coral, dugong, dolphins, whales and sharks. Various types of turtles can also be found in the area including the Hawksbill turtle and Green Turtle which are listed as endangered species.
GSM in Dubai
Dubai. GSM
GSM— Those with GSM phones can expect auto roaming from their home countries. As roaming fees are quite high (easily 3 USD per minute and often more for a call to Europe) and incoming calls are also charged, consider to buy a local prepaid GSM SIM card, designed especially for tourists, from one of the two cellular providers of the U.A.E.:
- Etisalat - product Ahlan - 90 Dirhams - available at the Duty Free Shop (arrival hall) of Dubai Airport
- Du - product Visitor Mobile Line - 70 Dirhams - available at the Telefonika kiosk in the arrival hall of Dubai Airport.
Dubai
Cafes
- Filli Cafeteria, Al Mamzar. & Modern Coffee Shop, Hor Al Anz. - Probably the two most popular tea spots in town, especially Filli, who serves over 4000 cups a day!. Try either the zaffrani chai (milk tea with saffron) or the doodh kadak(strong milk tea). edit edit
- Basta Art Cafe, Bastakiya, ☎ +971-4-3535071. Set in a lovely garden courtyard in a restored house, Basta is a great place to take a breather with a cold drink and write some postcards. The sandwiches-and-salads menu is aimed squarely at tourists, but if you are sick of kebabs, they will cater to your salmon-avocado wrap and mango smoothie cravings. The "Basta Special" drink of mint and lemon is also excellent. Dhs 50.
Markets in Dubai
Markets
- Gold Souk— Not a mall, but a historic market that has been a part of Dubai since the origin of Dubai itself. Located at the mouth of the creek, it dazzles people by selling gold in large quantities and with little visible security. A must visit for shoppers and sightseers. Most of the gold is 22ct quality and quite expensive - although even here the shopkeepers are prepared to bargain - and the craftsmanship can be remarkably detailed. The gold items are sold by weight with a "making charge" added on top to cover the workmanship. It pays therefore, to go shopping armed with the current gold price and a knowledge of the making charges in order to hone the bargaining process. Many outlets are part of chains that also have branches in malls, so are generally reliable.
- Spice Souk— As above, not a mall, but a historic market that has been a part of Dubai since the origin of Dubai itself. Located at the mouth of the creek, it is not far from the Gold Souk, but has sadly declined a bit in recent years as supermarkets take over the spice trade. If you're actually shopping for spices, odds are you'll get better prices and quality with much less hassle at Carrefour. Both the Spice Souk and the Gold Souq are a rather hot and sweaty experience with limited air-conditioning, so wear appropriately cool, loose clothing if visiting in mid summer. Individual shops are air conditioned. Although regularly visited by tourists, none of the souks are considered a tourist area and as such modest dress should be worn to avoid causing offence or attracting unwanted attention.
Dubai Health
Dubai generally has a high standard of Medical care, both in primary health and in Hospital facilities. It must be remembered that the conditions in the Middle East are quite different from our home countries and these conditions lead to some special precautions and requirements to live in Dubai in a healthy manner.
Your employer will provide you with Private Health Insurance which will cover you for almost 100% of your personal health needs. Your families may not be covered by this or you may elect to utilize the public health facilities which are open to anybody holding a resident visa. These require a Health Card which are available through the public hospitals (Dept. of Health), they enable you or your families to attend the Public Hospitals and Community Health Centres. Cost of issue of the Health Card is approximately 300 Dhs. HCT staff and dependants are covered by DAMAN
Primary Care -Many Medical Centres exist around the city, the private clinics are mostly for the local community, there are several catering to the specific needs of the expatriate community. Most provide after-hours care and some ,house calls. Look for a clinic which provides for your specific family’s needs. (See Dubai Connector Publication for a comprehensive list )
Hospitals -The public hospital system provides a high quality of care, especially in the case of a accident or injury, long waiting lists exist for elective procedures. Private hospitals provide very good care as inpatients and outpatient facilities. Specifically, American Hospital (Ph.3367777) and Wellcare Hospital (Ph. 2827788).
Dentists-High quality of care available for general Dentistry and Orthodontics, all are reasonably expensive but very good. (eg. Jumeira Beach Dental Clinic Ph.3499433 and Drs. Nicholas and Asp Dental Clinic Ph. 3454443 Full list in Connector)
Pharmacies -Are located on every street corner, they are well stocked , try to buy well known brands or company products. The staff have very little training and don’t rely on their advice.
Ambulances. - run by the Government and are obliged to take people to a Public Hospital. Response time can be extremely variable.
Specific health Issues.
Your employer will provide you with Private Health Insurance which will cover you for almost 100% of your personal health needs. Your families may not be covered by this or you may elect to utilize the public health facilities which are open to anybody holding a resident visa. These require a Health Card which are available through the public hospitals (Dept. of Health), they enable you or your families to attend the Public Hospitals and Community Health Centres. Cost of issue of the Health Card is approximately 300 Dhs. HCT staff and dependants are covered by DAMAN
Primary Care -Many Medical Centres exist around the city, the private clinics are mostly for the local community, there are several catering to the specific needs of the expatriate community. Most provide after-hours care and some ,house calls. Look for a clinic which provides for your specific family’s needs. (See Dubai Connector Publication for a comprehensive list )
Hospitals -The public hospital system provides a high quality of care, especially in the case of a accident or injury, long waiting lists exist for elective procedures. Private hospitals provide very good care as inpatients and outpatient facilities. Specifically, American Hospital (Ph.3367777) and Wellcare Hospital (Ph. 2827788).
Dentists-High quality of care available for general Dentistry and Orthodontics, all are reasonably expensive but very good. (eg. Jumeira Beach Dental Clinic Ph.3499433 and Drs. Nicholas and Asp Dental Clinic Ph. 3454443 Full list in Connector)
Pharmacies -Are located on every street corner, they are well stocked , try to buy well known brands or company products. The staff have very little training and don’t rely on their advice.
Ambulances. - run by the Government and are obliged to take people to a Public Hospital. Response time can be extremely variable.
Specific health Issues.
- Food -There is a large variety of foods available in Dubai. It is important to wash vegetables, salads and fruit well before consumption some people treat their fruit and vegetables with chlorine based agents. Fish is generally fresh and safe to eat. It may take time for stomachs to adjust to food changes especially to Middle Eastern foods. If persistent diarrhoea presents it is important to have a stool culture to exclude bacterial gastro-enteritis.
- Water The tap-water in Dubai is safe to drink, most people prefer to drink bottled water as the taste of tap-water is rather metallic. Local companies provide home delivery (eg. Oasis Water Ph.04 8845656). It is essential to drink large amounts of water in this climate 2.5 litres/day, needs may increase up to 2-3 times this if playing sport or gardening. If you are passing plenty of urine then you are drinking enough. Remember to carry large amounts of water if you are travelling out into the desert.
- Sun It is important to respect the damage the sun can inflict on the skin, eyes and as a contribution to dehydration. Always wear a broad brimmed hat, apply sun-block and wear 100% UV filtering sunglasses. Almost 100% of skin cancers seen in the UAE are in Caucasians. Always block out your children and encourage them to wear sun-glasses. Beware children can burn their feet on metal grates exposed to the sun.
- Vaccinations. To live in Dubai the WHO recommend Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations. There is debate about the value of TB vaccination but it is generally recommended. It is a good opportunity to ensure that all of your vaccinations are up to date (eg. Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis B etc.)
- Travel Dubai is a central hub for travel to other countries, make sure that your travel vaccinations are up to date well before departure. There have be some cases of malaria from the north-east emirates area, some prophylaxis is recommended.
- Children Ensure your children are up to date with their routine vaccinations, there is a relatively high incidence in Dubai of bacterial infections eg. tonsillitis, ear infections etc. Gastro-enteritis is quite common, usually mild.
- Bites/Crawly things There are no deadly spiders or reptiles in the UAE. Bad allergic reactions are commonly seen to spiders, ants, jelly-fish etc. Beware of dog-bites, most domestic dogs are quite safe but consideration of Rabies if bitten by a wild dog, consult your doctor.
- Safety issues
Dubai
By taxi
Taxis ply the streets of Dubai and are relatively easy to spot. The easiest place to find them is at the taxi queue at one of the malls or outside a hotel. Waving down a taxi on the road is possible, but can be difficult during rush hours. At peak times (7-9AM & 4-7PM workdays, and Friday evenings) demand far exceeds supply, and not only are taxis hard to find, but those who deign to pick you up may demand crazy off-meter fares or refuse short rides in congested areas entirely. The standard of driving in Dubai ranges from poor to wild - taxis are some of the worst on the roads. Taxi drivers are pretty good at knowing where the main shopping malls and hotels are, however less well known places will mean the driver calling his brother-in-law to get directions, whilst he drives around in circles on your time - hence it is a good idea to have a rough idea of where you are heading or what a nearby landmark is.
Taxis are metered at 1.60 dhs/km, so no haggling is necessary. The rates of all taxi companies — Dubai Transport, National, Cars, Metro, and Arabian — are identical, so just take the first one that comes along. From the airport, there is a standing charge of 20 dhs; all other street pickups attract a standing charge of 3.00 dhs during the day, 3.50 at night (10 PM-6AM), but a minimum fare of 10 dhs applies, and there is a surcharge of 20 dhs for going to Sharjah. Taxis are exempt from the Salik road toll charges. Beware of unmarked hotel taxis and limousines though: while some of these are metered, they are not tied to the official rates, and can be much more expensive.
If you can't find one otherwise, you can attempt to call a taxi at 04-2080808, there's a surcharge of 3 dhs to book. The booking system was notorious for its unreliability but with a significantly increased taxi fleet, many taxis now deliberately wait in unofficial holding areas waiting for bookings. As a result, on a good day it can be possible to book a taxi and have it arrive within less than five minutes. If you absolutely have to get somewhere at a certain time (say, the airport or a meeting), it's still best to book a hotel taxi in advance, and get their estimate of how bad the traffic will be.
Women should travel in the back of the taxi as some drivers see it as an invitation if you get in the front.
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