In July 2022, Dubai established the Supreme Committee for Future Technologies and the Digital Economy, chaired by the Emirate's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

The committee's tasks include forming a strategy for the development of artificial intelligence technology, identifying projects for investment in Metaworlds, and partnering with market players to develop Dubai's digital economy.

According to Sheikh Hamdan, Dubai is a global testing ground for new technologies and business models of the future that will help turn it into the global center of the digital economy. The committee will analyze trends in the digital economy, including AI, blockchain, Web3, virtual and augmented reality, Internet of Things, data processing and cloud computing technologies.

The body will also oversee the implementation of strategies related to future technologies in Dubai, create a list of skills needed to develop the digital economy, and build strategic relationships with industry organizations around the world.

As Sheikh Hamdan previously reported, 40,000 virtual jobs will be created in Dubai over the next five years as part of the implementation of the new Dubai Metaverse program. The number of companies involved in the development of blockchain and Metaworld technologies in Dubai will grow fivefold, from one to five thousand, within five years.

Sheikh Hamdan called the Metaverse a new revolution that will change all aspects of people's lives over the next two decades. Currently, high-tech companies are earning US$500 million for Dubai's economy and these figures are expected to grow significantly in the coming years. New companies will contribute US$ 4 billion to Dubai's GDP.

Pre-booking of tickets is not required - they will be available upon boarding the bus - both at the bus station in Dubai and at Abu Dhabi International Airport terminals.

Recall that the E102 inter-city bus service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi resumed on August 9, 2022. The bus runs from the Ibn Battuta Mall shopping mall and metro station in Dubai to the industrial zone Mussaffah in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Thus, passengers traveling from Dubai to the UAE capital by public transport now have access to three routes. The E101 bus runs from the Ibn Battuta Mall shopping mall and metro station, while the E100 runs from Al Ghubaiba station to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station.

The E102 runs every hour. Back in May, Dubai's bus service to the northern emirates and other regions of the UAE was reopened. The E201 bus departs from Al Ghubaiba station in Al Ain, the E315 connects Etisalat metro station and Muwaileh locality in Sharjah, and the E700 connects Union Square station in Deira with Fujairah.

Also in September, tourists are waiting for a bargain shopping - in the UAE stores there are discounts, in shopping centers there are entertaining events, promotions and raffles. Holidays in the UAE in September will suit all categories of tourists.

"Despite the heat and quite warm sea, the pools in the hotels are cool, the rooms are well air-conditioned. We can say that this is a good chance to extend the summer, which we have sharply come to an end. It may be quite hot on excursions, but you can enjoy a quiet holiday at the beach" - say experts.

Tour operators also advise to be thoughtful when choosing a hotel in the UAE for the rest. According to them, the most comfortable accommodation will be in hotels with green areas. In addition, you should pay attention to the fact that the temperature regime may vary from emirate to emirate. For example, it is cooler in Fujairah than in Sharjah.

Because of the sanctions against Russian airlines tourists from Russia have not many options where you can fly to rest by direct flight. Another advantage of vacationing in the UAE is the direct flight connection to Russia.

Safe haven for dubious money

The Emirates have long been considered a safe haven for money from dubious sources. The confederation has tightened the rules on money laundering in recent years. In practice, however, the loopholes seem numerous and controls rare.

Broker Kas Syed, at any rate, accepts just about every conceivable form of payment: "They can pay in any currency they want: Dirhams, dollars, cryptocurrency, online transfers. They can also send pigeons. We accept it." That's probably why the emirates landed on the Organization for the Suppression of Money Laundering's FATF "gray list" in March.

Now Dubai is experiencing a boom: oligarchs from Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's entourage are welcome in the emirates, as long as they bring the necessary small change. In just a few weeks, they are said to have invested almost 300 million euros in Dubai. Syed's colleague Jennifer Soltanpour promises absolute discretion: "Dubai does not ask questions. Everyone is welcome. No one has to be afraid of anything. It's open to everyone."

Close ties between the Emirates and Russia

In the West, the accounts of Russian oligarchs are frozen, villas and yachts seized. In the Emirates, such sanctions do not apply: Here, they can go on shopping sprees without worrying, and the airspace is open to Russian jets. Anyone who buys a property for 1.4 million receives a five-year visa.

Economically, the Emirates and Russia are closely intertwined. The confederation has invested about three billion euros in Russia. The two also cooperate closely in the energy sector. This is probably one of the reasons why the Emirates are neutral in the war against Ukraine and did not want to condemn Russia's war of aggression in the UN Security Council.

This opens up unimagined opportunities for brokers like Kas Syed. For weeks, his phone has been ringing off the hook. A good third more inquiries have reached him. In the office, they are working to the limit. But they can still cope with the onslaught.

"Yachts in abundance"

Irina Ustina came to Dubai from Moscow two months ago and decided to stay without further ado. The 33-year-old entrepreneur is one of about 40,000 Russians in the Emirates. Soon there are likely to be many more.

Now she is looking for promising investment opportunities in her new home. Kas Syed stands by her side, accompanies her to the marina, takes her on an elegant ship. Besides real estate, another playing field for wealthy investors.

"There are yachts in abundance. Everything from six to 25 meters is available and can be bought anywhere," assures Syed.

"Many like this country very much"

Ustina wants to sound out the market first and keeps a low profile: "The Emirates is a rich country with many opportunities. You can do business, enjoy the sun, the sea, palm trees, beautiful views. Many really like this country."

Few Russians in Dubai want to talk to journalists, certainly not the super-rich. But they are certainly present in the street scene and courted by wealth advisors and brokers. After the lean years of the Corona crisis, Kas Syed now expects brilliant business again - in the slipstream of a dirty war.

"The system achieves high satisfaction rates among users because it is simple, effective and smooth," Al Bustani said.

He added that the number of VAT refund transactions for tourists increased by 104.15 percent in the current year, as the number of transactions doubled to 2.31 million in the first eight months of this year. In 2021, 1.13 million transactions had been registered in the same period. The total value of tourism VAT refunds increased by 113.48 percent from the beginning of January to the end of August 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, due to the relaxation of global travel restrictions.

For his part, Al Kourdi said, "In a few moments, buyers can complete a transaction, receive a digital invoice and share it directly with Planet Tax Free. The electronic tax refund system is integrated for purchases at a number of hotels, malls, shopping centers and other retail locations. When leaving the UAE, tourists can use one of more than 100 self-service kiosks at departure points, making the process simple, fast and hassle-free."

During the press conference, officials estimated that more than 3.5 million traditional paper bills will be digitized, resulting in overwhelming positive benefits, such as adhering to the country's digital transformation strategy, saving up to five minutes per customer (compared to printing receipts), reducing friction to maintain public health at the point of sale, and eliminating human error. The 100 percent paperless process will save more than 16,800 trees per year and more than 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.