Trade growth is Dubai's new 'desert miracle'

Connecting European, African and Asian markets, Dubai aims at becoming an integral part of the global trade system. Its economic policies include low customs duties, 100 percent repatriation of capital and profits, no direct taxes on corporate profits or income and no foreign exchange controls, trade quotas or other barriers.

Dubai uses its proximity to the world's dynamic economic regions to compete with rivals such as Shanghai, Hong Kong and London to serve the markets of Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

The efforts paid off as the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business report for 2014 listed the UAE as No 1 in the region and 23rd globally.

Cong is not the only Chinese observer to note that the emirate's vision and ambition has created a great opportunity for China's business community.

Tang Weibin, China's consul-general in Dubai, told business representatives early this month that the current world economic and geopolitical situation means better prospects for Dubai.

He said that Chinese enterprises in Dubai should seize this opportunity for future growth as well as contribute to the sound development of the China-UAE strategic partnership. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship.

Currently there are more than 200,000 Chinese people living and doing business in Dubai. The two countries also are closely linked by burgeoning commercial activities.

Airline inaugurating Lanzhou-Dubai route

International flights from Lanzhou, Gansu province, via Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, will start service to Dubai on Sept 29, said Xinjiang local media.

China Southern Airlines said it will introduce the latest Boeing 737-800 to the new route. The aircraft can seat about 130 passengers. The 5,216-kilometer-long, eight-hour flight will fly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

The flight will serve Dubai-bound travelers not only from Gansu but also from Xinjiang, where there is a large Muslim community.

The flight makes Lanzhou and Urumqi the latest mainland cities to offer direct international flights to Dubai, after Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Analysts said the new route connecting China's northwestern regions with the Middle East will benefit the new Silk Road economic belt, a concept proposed by President Xi Jinping to boost cooperation between China and Central Asia.

Top 10 most competitive countries and regions	Pitching it right for Dubai