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Shaikh Mohammed’s new book focuses on Dubai’s astounding development

DUBAI — A new book, ‘My Vision — Challenges in the Race for Excellence’, highlighting the breathtaking development of Dubai was launched by Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, here yesterday.

It was published by Motivate Publishing, Dubai and The Arab Institute for Research and Publication, Beirut. According to the co-publishers, the book is a unique and detailed account of the exceptional development of Dubai and the vision behind the outstanding accomplishments, that included transforming the UAE and Dubai from their role as a regional powerhouse to their new and advanced role as international economic and financial centres. The attainment of these high rates of growth, according to them, was accomplished by way of providing excellence in services and industry.

One of the most important features of the book, they noted, is the simplicity with which the author approaches complex subjects such as vision, leadership, state management, enhancement of skills, and expertise in human resources that played a paramount role in constantly pushing development in Dubai to new heights.

The author, in this Arabic version of his book, used his close and almost daily involvement in projects as the basis for his work. It is therefore a credible and lively account of processes and foundations of ultra-modern development, based on first-hand experience and direct guidance. “The book, specifically, provides a true description of an exceptional development experience that is regarded by many as a role model for other Arab and Muslim countries,” the publishers said in a joint statement.

“Dubai is proving to be one of the most successful development stories in the world, and is being viewed increasingly in the Arab and Muslim worlds as a source of pride.” Compared by the author to Cordova, the old capital of Arab Spain, Dubai’s melting pot of nations and creeds is adding new and exciting dimensions to the concept of co-existence and enhancing human interaction and understanding. And like Cordoba, Dubai today is providing a new hope for humanity that different civilisations and religions can co-exist and strive collectively to create excellence in everything for the benefit of all.

The English version of the book will be published soon. The book contains 13 chapters in five parts, plus introduction and conclusion, as well as a brief bibliography on the jacket.

Brief Editorial Review: Described by reviewers as one of the most important books published in the Middle East in the past 50 years, the book is primarily about development, as four of the five sections carry the word ‘development’ in their titles. The fifth — ‘The Road to the Future’ — is an overview of future economic developments, and covers topics such as ‘Globalisation and the Economic Integration of the Central World Economic Zone (CWEZ)’ for which Dubai is providing the economic role model, positioning itself as the leading economic and developmental metropolis.

In his book, the author reveals, for the first time, the ‘secrets’ that made the emirate of Dubai one of the most astounding development phenomena in the world. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum provides insight into the strategies that can produce excellence in development, including vision, leadership, management, teamwork, and decisive and timely decision-taking.

The book is primarily about the development and successful management of countries, presenting Dubai as a role model. This makes the book unique, due to the absence of other books in Arabic on this vital subject. It gains further importance due to the authoritative account of the various components of development, based on personal experience and daily involvement, rather than on abstract theories and untested experiences.

The author has dedicated the book to His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, but he gives credit for the successes of Dubai to nationals and residents alike, and to the public and private sectors in equal terms. Their immense contribution is appreciated and recognised at every stage, and all are called upon to participate in the ‘consensus planning’ of Dubai and the UAE, as a prerequisite to reaching new heights of development and excellence.

The author addresses not only the people of Dubai and the UAE, but the entire Arab and Muslim world of 1.3 billion people. The success story of Dubai, he believes, can be replicated in other Arab and Muslim countries. Therefore, the book delivers a message of optimism that a second stage of outstanding development can be achieved throughout the Arab and Muslim world. The proof he provides is Dubai itself.