HERITAGE

The Bedouins are an essential part of Abu Dhabi’s rich heritage. Although this indigenous culture preceded the conversion of people in Abu Dhabi into Islam, it doesn’t make the existence of such lifestyle less significant. To date, the nomadic Bedouins comprise a shrinking minority of the population in Abu Dhabi. As may have been explained by hundreds of books, the Bedouins are a nomadic people who move from oasis to oasis and are known for maintaining a pastoral lifestyle by raising camels, sheep or goats. Women Bedouins also engage in handicraft making.

Falconry is another major passion even for the contemporary Emirati. Historically falconry was practised to supplement the hunter’s diet. Today falconry is considered a national pastime if not a high-profile sport, or art as others prefer to call it, in Abu Dhabi. In most ancient cultures falconry skills were a status indicator, where certain species of birds such as hawks and falcons are associated with one’s position or wealth.

Furthermore hunting, seafaring and pearling were the most common occupations of the early settlers in the Abu Dhabi coastal area. It is believed that at the height of the pearling industry (at the turn of the 20th century) an estimated 1,200 pearling boats engaged in the trade with about 22,000 able bodied men plying the pearl banks of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah during the summer months in search of pearl-bearing oysters (lulu).

Camel racing and horse racing are likewise indelible in the local culture. The Arabian horse is known throughout the world for its beauty, elegance and unmatched power, drawing the admiration of global enthusiasts.

TOURISM

Year-round sunshine, pristine beaches, spectacular sand dunes and pulsating cosmopolitan lifestyle await every guest in Abu Dhabi. Such idyllic setting cuddles this emirate known around the world for its massive oil reserves and majestic mosques with towering minarets. These, combined with the distinct Arabic hospitality and mystique - and world-class infrastructure - make Abu Dhabi an excellent destination both for the experienced and novice traveler.

Abu Dhabi city bursts with dazzling business-cum-leisure facilities ranging from state-of-the-art convention centre, luxurious hotels, spas, designer golf courses, theatres and very soon, some of the world’s most famous museums particularly Guggenheim and Louvre. The palace-like shopping malls and indigenous souqs in Abu Dhabi make for a great shopping expedition, offering the best handicraft from local Bedouins to the best of Paris’ or Milan’s high street fashion brands, sans the ubiquitous sales tax. Gastronomic treats further abound from cool and sophisticated cafes, clubs and restaurants. For the fitness conscious, jogging and cycling (or even roller blading) are a welcome treat especially during the cooler months in the city’s charming corniche or beachfront, merely minutes away from the bustling city centre.

ECONOMY

Abu Dhabi’s gross domestic product (GDP) nearly touched $100 billion in 2006, which marked a whopping 21.7% rise at current prices over the previous year. Given its population of merely 1.463 million, wealthy becomes an understatement in describing the emirate. A per-capita GDP exceeding $68,000 casts Abu Dhabi among the world’s wealthiest countries or city states such as Luxembourg, Ireland and United States. This figure is expected to further increase within the region of $91,000 in four year’s time if oil prices continue to perform in favour of oil-exporting countries like UAE, and if the population growth stays within the 4% to 5% growth range per annum.

The powerful oil sector contributed over $62 billion to the emirate’s GDP in 2006, dwarfing every other sector’s output including those of real-estate, finance and utilities. Going forward, however, the non-oil sector’s stake in the overall economy of the emirate is expected to gradually increase from 38% of the GDP in 2006 to around 45.0% by 2010, if an annual growth of 17% to 18% is realised for the non-oil sector.  To reach this objective the government has embarked on major initiatives to re-invest its oil revenues – which have registered precipitous gains in recent years – on a broad spectrum of sectors particularly construction, tourism, electricity and water and industry.

Looking back the emirate has posted an average GDP growth of 25% per year since 2002, with the years 2004 and 2005 growing by an estimated 31% and 38%, respectively. The year 2005, in fact, ended the 20-year long deficit in the country’s fiscal status. A more stable if not conservative GDP growth forecast of 12.3 % per year over the next four years will further bring the emirate’s total output to $159 billion by 2010.

The private sector in Abu Dhabi is also emerging, albeit steadily, as an economic growth engine contributing about 17% to the GDP in the past year. Such contribution is expected to reach one fifths of the GDP in the not so distant future, which could only bode well for the emirate’s vision to successfully diversify its economy and attract foreign investments, not so much for capital but for knowledge and technology-transfer.