Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government Hosts Leading Economist Prof Martin Hvidt as Part of Distinguished Speakers Series

Lecture Focuses on Dubai's Economic and Developmental Models

Dubai-UAE: 29 March, 2014 - The Government and Public Management Program at the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) today hosted Prof Martin Hvidt as part of its ongoing Distinguished Speaker Series.

Speaking on ‘The Dubai Economic and Developmental Models: Implications of the Expo 2020 on Dubai's Growth', Prof Hvidt's lecture traced the origins of Dubai's economic model and outlined its success in facilitating the economic boom from 1998 onwards. A faculty of Zayed University, Prof Hvidt also discussed Dubai's resilience in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and its sustainability in light of the upcoming Expo 2020.

“Today, Dubai is a city–state of 1.4 million people expanding its global outreach and undertaking a range of high-profile investments and acquisitions,” said Prof Hvidt. “It competes with the biggest players in businesses such as tourism, logistics, port operations, financial services, and construction and pursues development with a ready strategy. It seems to have made a deliberate choice to position itself at the high-quality end of the market, whether in the tourist sector, services, or manufacturing.” 

He added: “Dubai's success was made possible because of the leadership and initiative of the government. A centralised government, fast decision making, fast track development and a flexible labour force have all contributed to the emirate's meteoric rise. As we approach Expo 2020, Dubai's impressive record of resilience and ability to rectify myriad problems as they arise is indicative of the city's potential to enjoy further successes and accommodate the projected rise in population in the coming years.”

For the past decade, Prof Hvidt has conducted extensive research on the economic development of Gulf countries and has authored thought pieces on the Gulf. Educated as a geographer and economist, he teaches courses in political economy and development economics related to the Middle East and the Gulf in particular.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government provides a platform for public dialogue and knowledge exchange by convening conferences, lectures, seminars and policy forums. The Distinguished Speakers Series has featured prominent academics and public figures including Lee Kuan Yew, Klaus Schwab, Lawrence Summers, John Chambers, David Ellwood, Joseph Nye, Francis Fukuyama, Suad Joseph, Kishore Mahbubani and Bob Graham.

Speaking at the event, Mhamed Biygautane, researcher in the Public Management Program, said: “It is important to stimulate dialogue and conduct more studies on the “Dubai Model” to share the unique developmental paradigm of Dubai with the rest of Gulf Cooperation Council states and the wider Arab world. Dubai's success story and its sustainable economic growth and resilience during one of history's worst financial crisis make it a timely subject for study. We hope today's lecture will help stimulate further discussion and research on Dubai's growth towards the Expo 2020 which brings valuable opportunities to both the government and private sectors. 

“We are honoured to welcome Prof Hvidt and gain from his research work. We also look forward to continued opportunities for collaborative knowledge sharing with Zayed University.' 

The Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government is committed to promoting good governance through enhancing the region's capacity for effective public policy. The school uses a four-pronged approach, which includes applied research in public policy and management, academic programs in public policy and administration, executive educations programs and knowledge forums for scholars and policy makers.