Dubai is not a stand-alone development model but catalyst for growth in poorer, strategically-located countries, said an expert during a talk hosted by the Dubai School of Government (DSG).

'If there is such a thing as a ‘Dubai Model’, it is to be found outside the UAE in the deep commercial partnerships the emirate has developed with a number of African states, most notably the Red Sea state of Djibouti, pointed out Dr Ethan Chorin, non-resident fellow at DSG.

His comments came during the talk titled ‘Articulating a ‘Dubai Model’ of Development: The Case of Djibouti’which was attended by academic professionals as well as representatives of government and non-government organisations.

Chorin said: “Despite a number of arguments to the contrary, Dubai was never a good candidate as a stand-alone development model due to the rather unique conditions surrounding its emergence as a global entrepot. But as a catalyst for growth in poorer, strategically-located countries, Dubai has a strong record, dating back more than a decade.'

'These interlocking, multi-party partnerships are founded on infrastructure (ports, principally, but also free zones, and amenities), and critically incorporate ambitious community engagement programmes in the area of health, transportation safety and conservation,' he noted.

“To an increasing number of developing countries, Dubai’s public-private partnership model is preferable to the alternatives proffered by the likes of China or France or many of the multilateral lending institutions, precisely because it is based on joint contribution and offers clear incentives and rewards,' Chorin explained.

'Somewhat ironically, Dubai’s legacy may be far more anchored in sustainability than anyone would have thought five years ago,' he said.

In order for Dubai (and the UAE in general) to lock in gains to date, the emirate needs to first and foremost recognise fully what its flagship companies and its private traders have accomplished and how not to make snap decisions based on short-term cost concerns, Chorin pointed out. 

Tarik Yousef, dean of DSG, described Chorin’s research as a valuable contribution to the applied development literature.

'He manages to blend some very abstract ideas with practical examples and offers a fresh perspective on the life-cycle of Dubai.  The ‘Dubai Model’ as described by Chorin presents a compelling argument for ‘sustainability’ becoming a key pillar of Dubai’s international business relations.”

Established in 2005, in co-operation with the Harvard Kennedy School, the DSG is dedicated to the promotion of good governance through the enhancement of the region’s capacity for public policy.-TradeArabia News Service