Ajman hopes to be next mini Dubai

Ajman hopes to be next mini Dubai

For the rulers of Ajman, presiding over the smallest emirate presents an opportunity as much as a challenge.

It is a philosophy that underpins the daily business of government, with Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, starting each day discussing matters of state over a working breakfast with his sons, including Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, the Crown Prince of Ajman.

The arrangement, says Sheikh Ammar, is typical of life in Ajman. “It is cosy here, a real family affair. A place where everybody knows everyone else.”

When The National interviewed Sheikh Ammar he was joined by his brother Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, just 22 but already a part of a group of young and trusted advisors. “I am my brother’s jester,” Sheikh Rashid says, to laughter.

“He is also my bodyguard,” Sheikh Ammar jokes back.

When it comes to their ambitions for Ajman, a more serious note is struck. “Our uniqueness is in our small size and our proximity to the big cities and emirates,” Sheikh Ammar says.

“We want Ajman to become the getaway from the hectic working cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where someone would spend three days working – and three days relaxing in Ajman.”

The magnitude of the emirate’s ambition was revealed earlier this month with the announcement of a Dh220 billion (US$59.9 bn) investment along the coast that will create a new city called Al Zorah.

While the development will bring thousands of jobs, Sheikh Ammar says his first concern is to protect the natural beauty of the 16 kilometres of coastline, including fragile mangrove swamps and other wildlife.

“They are precious and should be carefully preserved and be part of the project’s vision,” he says. “The first condition we put on this development was for it to be environmentally friendly.”

The development involves 12 million square metres of coastal and reclaimed land that will extend the waterfront by 12km.

“We are transforming virgin lands into a beautiful getaway,” Sheikh Ammar explains. Al Zorah is a joint venture between the Ajman Government and a Dubai-based affiliate of the Lebanese company Solidere, which rebuilt much of Beirut’s Central District after the civil war. Sheikh Ammar says the current crisis in Lebanon will not affect the project.

It will include villas and apartments as well as offices, shops, schools, several five-star holiday resorts, a championship golf course and five public marinas.

The masterplan also includes an equestrian centre.

In his 15 years as Crown Prince, Sheikh Ammar has built a reputation as a man with a good eye for horses, breeding several champions, and does not miss the opportunity to describe one of his favourites. “Lubnah, a beautiful grey female horse, is our pride here and is one of the top horses that competes in local and international horse shows,” he says.

The total investment in Ajman real estate has exceeded Dh400bn, Sheikh Ammar says, with half of Al Zorah’s residential property already sold.

“The largest investment in this emirate is coming from nationals from the other emirates,” he says. “We are grateful for their great support for Ajman.”

Advertisements for Al Zorah feature the popular Arab actor Omar Sharif, who was flown to meet the royal family, and “brings credibility to the project”, says Sheikh Ammar.

While the emirate is focusing on tourism and revamping its image, large sums are also being spent on improving infrastructure. Last year the Government assigned Dh500 million to improving transport links, including Dh45m for roads and intersections, Dh85m for two new bridges and Dh14m to maintain existing roads.

Equally important in exposing Ajman to international markets is a new Dh12bn international airport, scheduled to open in 2011.

“There is heavy traffic at the current airports and when you look, you find all flights booked, so this new airport will help alleviate some of the stress and give those living in the UAE more options,” says Sheikh Ammar.

In terms of industry, Ajman ranks third in the nation, and the Government wants to expand further, but with an emphasis on more environmentally friendly factories. “We understand the great health risks of factories, and so we are looking into higher technology factories like computer and related products.” Expansion, though, cannot take place without adequate energy supplies, something Sheikh Ammar admits has been a serious problem, with growing pressure on the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA).

“We have contacted several private companies to help us tackle this energy problem,” he says. “People have to expect the price of energy to go up because FEWA just can’t provide us with the energy that we need.” Sheikh Ammar cannot specify how much more consumers will have to pay, but admits he is aware of rising prices and says “life is getting more expensive”.

But he remains confident that standards of living will be maintained by the Federal Government, saying: “Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed will not allow a single Emirati to struggle and suffer.”

In an attempt to combat the energy crisis in the northern emirates, the Federal National Council recently gave the green light for private companies to provide power generators and produce desalinated water under the supervision of FEWA and in line with national environmental standards.

“It is a serious problem, and we are doing everything we can to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand,” says Sheikh Ammar.

Other difficulties include worsening traffic congestion, a problem felt by neighbouring Sharjah and Dubai. “We are starting to feel it, that is why we are putting a lot of emphasis on public transport,” he says.

Ajman plans to launch a public bus service later this year that will run from the industrial areas to downtown.

Sheikh Ammar points out that Ajman has always reacted quickly to change, noting that the emirate was one of the first of the northern emirates to follow Dubai in introducing freehold property, in 2002.

“In time, we hope to become a mini Dubai. We can’t say we will become Dubai – we have to be realistic,” he says with a laugh.

The National UAE

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