Discovery Channel to air ‘Middle East’s Richest People’

Discovery Channel to air ‘Middle East’s Richest People’: "Meet Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Hamad Al Nahyan, who has one of the most unique car collections in the world. He’s spent over 20 million euros building a huge collection featuring every conceivable vehicle and then proceeded to build a pyramid in the desert to garage all 200 of them. But his passion for engines doesn’t stop there and he has designed and built everything from a full sized Noah’s Ark to a fleet of amphibious vehicles.

Dubai’s Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum al Maktoum wants to change the face of motor sport forever. As a prominent member of the ruling family of Dubai he has used his influence and money to set up the new A1 Grand Prix as a rival to the F1 circuit. He has pumped in a substantial amount of his own money into the estimated 320 million euro start-up costs, not to mention prize money of 55 million euros earmarked for the first three seasons.

Another car fanatic is Dubai based Mohammed Ben Sulayem who is the Middle East’s most successful ever rally driver. He’s since retired to run the UAE Desert Challenge – a 2000 kilometre rally across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. He’s also building up a collection of super cars which he loves to take for a spin, burning up and down the main roads of Dubai. Ben Sulayem lives the glamorous life and loves to hang with the celebrity set, even counting Michael Jackson as one of his friends

And finally meet Saudi Arabian billionaire hotel magnate, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber, the 19th richest man in the Middle East. This self-made Sheikh boasts that his company brought water and electricity to the Saudi desert. But the workaholic businessman has since turned his hand to European hotels and thinks nothing of splashing out over 100 million euros on the right property."

Massive Caviar Farm Planned For Abu Dhabi - Luxist

Massive Caviar Farm Planned For Abu Dhabi - Luxist: "Massive Caviar Farm Planned For Abu Dhabi

Posted Jun 6th 2006 2:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Dining
As we've noted before, caviar production has slowed due to a ban on wild sturgeon from the Caspian Sea, which has thus far only been lifted for Iran. Now Bin Salem GTE has announced a massive project to produce caviar in the Abu Dhabi Industrial city. The new caviar producing plant will cost over $54 million and the caviar will be produced per international standards and treaties. The first phase of the project will be completed in 16 months and the hope to produce around 32 tons (yes, tons) of caviar as well as smoked fish meat."

Gulfnews: Abu Dhabi will introduce a ski slope this year

Gulfnews: Abu Dhabi will introduce a ski slope this year: "Abu Dhabi will introduce a ski slope this year

By Ahmad Ameen, Staff Reporter


Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi will have its own ski slope by the end of 2006, according to Nadeem Wajahat, acting general manager of Marina Mall.

'Snoworld is a combined retail and entertainment destination will include a fully equipped ski slope, skating rink and shopping complex all located within Abu Dhabi's premier retail landmark,' he said.

Speaking to Gulf News about the mall's projected expansion plans, Wajahat explained that the project does not match the large scale of Dubai's slope, 'yet it will present a unique attraction, with a length of about 100 metres, in addition to a snow dome, the new venue is aiming to further enhance Abu Dhabi's image as a major attraction for tourists and shoppers,' he said.

Wajahat revealed that Marina Mall is planning to undertake major expansion to cope with the developments expected to take place in the capital in the next five years, where large-scale projects are underway.

Marina Mall covers a gross built-up area of 230,000 metres and has a gross lettable space of 128,500 metres spread over four levels.

With 5,730 parking bays, 300 of which are in the underground basement, there is more than sufficient space for all visitors. The mall was developed and is managed by the National Investment Corporation (NIC).

'We opened up on March 28, 2001, we extended our space on February 9, 2006, and we are anticipating more growth within the coming five years as well,' he said.

The mall invested Dh300 million to expand its size and services offered in 2005 and opened new leasing space in February 2006.

Wajahat also said that a 120 metre tower has been built in the mall premises to accommodate a unique restaurant that provides a spectacular view of Abu Dhabi and adds a new landmark to the city's skyline.

Over the past five years, footfall has increased steadily in Marina Mall.

The mall opened in March 2001, and by the end of 2004 the mall recorded a total footfall of 7.6 million.

Its footfall average since the start of 2006 recorded 12 per cent growth over the same period of 2005.


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