Connecting the dots –U.A.E.48 years celebrating Emiratis, Expats and Immigration
No other global policy change comes close to generating such colossal rewards.
If everyone who wanted to migrate were able to do so, global GDP would double, estimates Michael Clemens of the Centre for Global Development. If there is $90 trillion a year up for grabs, you might think that policymakers would be feverishly devising ways to get a piece of it. They are not. (Extract from Nov 2019 Economist). Only a few leaders who can take care of their citizens and welcoming people from outside, and articulate well, will win in short, medium and long term.
While U.A.E doesn’t get highlighted in the report. Here is what it has done. More than 200 nationalities and around 88% expatriates within less than a half a century with its 9.54 M population, it has shown to the world how the nation can be built swiftly if we welcome and take care of people from outside. While Immigrants are usually defined as people who have come to a different country in order to live there permanently, whereas expats move abroad for a limited amount of time or have not yet decided upon the length of their stay, or if there are a restriction in the country. While UAE has opened up its policies, for a limited visa up to 10 years and introducing tons of new corporate compliance, clearly shows that it is on a path of long overhaul where ex-pats potentially will be welcome for a longer period.
Now with Expo 2020, on the anvil around 25 M people are expected to visit the country. I believe 3M is targeted to stay.
This is showcase time and real business time for the UAE and Asia at large. While I have travelled 30 plus countries, still I came to know about expo once UAE starts bidding. I believe all living in and around the region have the opportunity. It depends what we make out of it. It will be one of the best show in the region ever. A tremendous amount of trade and culture will be exchanged. So let’s be part of it and make it larger than life by inviting business partners, families and friends to inch to 30M. Can we?