My Dubai, My Expo: Mohammad Ali describes Dubai as secure and fair

(Pictures by Zarina Fernandes)

Dubai: Every week, Gulf News will give voice to Dubai’s stakeholders to hear their thoughts on what makes Dubai special and why the emirate should host the 2020 World Expo.

This week, we speak to Mohammad Ali, 40, a Pakistani businessman who has called Dubai his home for 13 years. Ali said he prides himself for being in a country with leaders who have unparalleled commitment to excellence.

“When I hear the word Dubai, the first thought that comes to mind is security and fairness. I say security because if you look around in the region, you may see conflicts, but you won’t see that here. If my family is outside even past midnight, I’m not worried.

“What I meant with fairness is if you want to open a business here, you don’t have to pay anyone a bribe. They’ll treat you the same way—fairly—whether you’re from Britain or from Pakistan or from elsewhere.

“I think the 2020 World Expo should be held in Dubai because it is a city where peace and harmony exist, where people from the East and from the West can co-exist in harmony.

“And whatever the leaders say they will do, they deliver. They have done so many, many times. I will never forget HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s speech. He said that in the race to excellence, there is no finish line. So for me, it is important to live in a place where the leaders are fully committed to excellence.”