The royal delivered his message to Emirati youth while touring a new island in Dubai.
There are nearly 200 countries in the world—and the UAE is on a mission to become No 1.
That the game plan that HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum revealed as he toured a new manmade island being developed off the coast of Dubai.
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The Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai visited Bluewaters Island on Monday, which lies beside JBR (and houses that massive observation wheel you’ll have noticed rising up over recent months).
The royal made the trip to review the progress of the Dhs8 billion Meraas project, which will bring apartments, hotels, restaurants and shops to the area, as well as the aforementioned wheel known as Ain Dubai.
When it opens later this year, Ain Dubai is expected to become the world’s largest observation wheel, standing at 210 metres high with 48 spacious stone-floored capsules.
Such an ambitious project is typical of the city, with one of Dubai’s top priorities being to “encourage innovators and offer them opportunities”, Sheikh Mohammed said.
“We want our country to be known as a land of happiness and hope for both people and visitors, and for all those who have ambitions and dreams,” the royal added.
“The projects we see around us today reflect this vision as well as our determination to achieve the highest levels of excellence.”
The project has and will create thousands of jobs as well as tourism, Sheikh Mohammed said, revealing on Instagram that his message for Emirati youths is to “never settle for anything less than the best”.
The royal also visited two upcoming hotels being built on the island; one with 178 rooms and 96 serviced apartments, the other with 301 rooms and 119 serviced apartments.
Both will have access to 450 metres of private beach, as well as plenty of amenities on their doorstep.
So, what else will you find at Bluewaters when it’s finished?
Aside from Ain Dubai, Bluewaters Island will be home to 10 residential towers, featuring 698 apartments and 17 townhouses, and the move-in date is slated for early 2018.
Residents and tourists can access the island via a 265-metre pedestrian bridge from The Beach at JBR, an exit from Sheikh Zayed Road, or a monorail system.
The island will house a resident beach club and 150 retail and restaurant options, and visitors will also be able to eat on Ain Dubai itself (12 of its capsules can be converted into fine-dining destinations that seat 12 guests).
Thrill-seekers will also be pleased to hear that one of Ain Dubai’s legs will feature the world’s highest rope climbing platform (although you’re far more likely to find us in one of the capsules on a leisurely 48-minute cycle).
There’s no confirmed opening date for the observation wheel or other Bluewaters attractions just yet, but we’ll keep you updated.
Images: Dubai Media Office
