Francis Matthew

The UAE’s Foreign Ownership Dilemma – Jobs & Security

The UAE’s Foreign Ownership Dilemma – Jobs & Security

If the UAE wants to continue to attract foreign investment, it will need to open up its corporate ownership structures. This is the way to create new jobs that can be taken up by the growing number of young UAE nationals.

 Francis Matthew

“Silence” Leaves the UAE Vulnerable to its Critics

“Silence” Leaves the UAE Vulnerable to its Critics

FRANCIS MATTHEW: Lack of political inclusion, and the lack of regular statements, offers an opening to criticism of the country. But this should not ignore its liberal social agenda.

 Alexander McNabb

Voter Apathy Fails to Take Shine off UAE Elections

Voter Apathy Fails to Take Shine off UAE Elections

ALEXANDER MCNABB: Happiness follows the successful conclusion of the UAE’s dalliance with voting. Shame one UAE paper feels the need to gloss over the mildest of grievances.

 Alexander McNabb

UAE Gears Up for Elections – But Will the Voters Show Up?

UAE Gears Up for Elections – But Will the Voters Show Up?

ALEXANDER MCNABB: Gulf News’ editor Abdul Hamid Ahmad points out not all Dubai candidates have been active. “They do not have the motivation..”

 Matt J. Duffy

Positive Signs in UAE Election Campaign

Positive Signs in UAE Election Campaign

MATT J. DUFFY: Some concerns have been raised about the stringency of the rules relating to public discourse in the UAE elections. Comments from a senior official, however, seem to have assuaged these concerns.

 David Roberts

Emirati Voting Numbers: It’s How You Look At It…

Emirati Voting Numbers: It’s How You Look At It…

DAVID ROBERTS: Around 129,000 or 14% of Emiratis will be eligible to vote, 1.6% of the entire population, but a lot more than the 7,000 eligible to vote in the last elections…

 James M. Dorsey

Demographics, Expats, Rights – & Hope in Football

Demographics, Expats, Rights – & Hope in Football

JAMES M. DORSEY: Just 13% of the UAE’s population has citizenship. In Qatar it’s 26% and Kuwait 34%. And those percentages are dropping.

 Sultan Al Qassemi

Municipal councils & the spirit of civic participation

Municipal councils & the spirit of civic participation

Emiratis seem to be disconnected from public service and civic duty. If they are empowered to represent their communities, then the energy of a young and growing population could be harnessed in the right direction…