COVID-19 won't affect UAE's long-term competitiveness

The UAE has proved its resilience against all challenges in the past as it has a history of recovering faster from the global financial and health crises, says an industry veteran.

"If you look back, the UAE and Dubai recovered faster than any other economies from all the previous crises it faced in the last three decades, be it the Gulf War, Sars, the global financial crisis, bird flu, etc. It recovered fast, breaking all predictions. Whatever the depth of the crisis might be, Dubai has emerged stronger. So, there is a pattern and history of fasterrecovery from crises," said Rizwan Sajan, chairman of Danube Group.

Dubai's ability to quickly adapt and promptly respond to crisis led by the leadership as well as its status as an open economy helps the emirate to quickly overcome any challenge.
Sajan said coronavirus will not affect the long-term competitive advantage of the UAE.

"In all likelihood, it is a stress test for various economic sectors and businesses. Those who have attained economic sustainability will come back strongly. This is a wake-up call for businesses that did not attain sustainability," he said.

"The UAE, especially Dubai, will see a massive growth in business activities and the country's economy is poised for a sharp V-shaped recovery in the fourth quarter of the year. Looking back, the Covid-19 pandemic will be remembered as a short-lived nightmare," the chairman said.

Danube Properties is one of the few private Dubai developers who successfully launched a new project earlier this year at a time when new launches had slowed down due to oversupply in the market. The developer has been one of the first players to launch affordable homes as well as an industry-setting one per cent monthly payment scheme and rent-to-own schemes.

"While many countries are witnessing a second wave in the coronavirus' spread, the UAE appears to be out of danger. If the UAE becomes a Covid-19-free country, we will witness a massive influx of tourists returning to enjoy the country's world-class facilities. This will make the UAE an attractive destination for living, working, doing business, tourism and investment."

Sajan stressed that Covid-19 is a short-term public health crisis, which will soon become part of history.