The growth of the Gulf Cooperation Countries over the past 40 years has been nothing short of phenomenal as natural resource wealth has been converted into living conditions and standards that rank amongst the best in the world.

Although individual countries have developed at their own individual pace, all now have strong linkages within the global economy and also have the internal social and economic support structures that will enable them to further develop.

In the case of the UAE the rate and direction of development has also varied according to the dictates of each Emirate. Dubai has reached prominence through its success in diversifying its economy away from a reliance mostly on trading and re-exporting, into becoming the Gulf’s major tourist destination as well as possessing ever expanding processing and service facilities.

This includes the Jebel Ali Free Zone, the Dubai Internet and Media Cities, the Dubai Financial Centre and a plethora of shopping malls and entertainment complexes as well as gold souks. Dubai’s consistently high rates of growth and its drive towards achievement of global standards in technical excellence has also meant that opportunities for business growth and diversity amongst Dubai’s business community have been equally abundant and Dubai’s public and private sectors have worked closely in partnership over the years.

The Belhasa Group has been one of the major drivers associated with Dubai’s development and also one of the recipients of the benefits of this development. It has used its Dubai base to build trading relationships around the world: its companies import from and supply goods and services to most of the worlds major trading nations.