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Work + Play = Life
SEPTEMBER 2015
N S I D One & Only, Dubai’s Royal Mirage p44
Infographics: Your Money In Numbers Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the priciest Middle Eastern cities for expats, and among the most expensive worldwide. Little wonder that there are massive levels of debt, increasing numbers of loans being taken out, and poor retirement planning. Here’s the lowdown on what UAE residents earn, spend and (mostly fail to) save.
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Published from Dubai Media City
SEPTEMBER 2015
Work
Your Money in Numbers p8 Interview with Ambareen Musa, Founder of Souqalmal.com p36
Cover design Geri Batara Sonny
10 Finance Trends 14 Top More of us now have an ‘electronic’ wallet as
well as a leather one – but neither, unfortunately, is likely to have as much money in it as in 2014.
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Debt Perils for UAE Newcomers There is a debt epidemic in the UAE – and for many new residents the temptation to go ‘into the red’ starts on the very first day they arrive.
Credit Agencies Working? 24 Are There was a time when you could merrily rack up debts in the UAE, with banks oblivious to what you owe other lenders.
Finance for Everyone? 28 IsIt’sSharia little wonder that more non-Muslims are putting their faith in Islamic finance.
Traps 32 Financial When one of the UAE’s so-called ‘financial advisors’ called Sam Instone a few weeks ago, they chose the wrong guy to try to con.
BOSS: Q&A with Ambareen Musa, 36 THE founder of Souqalmal.com
Ms Musa told Benchmark about how shopping around can save you serious money – and her broader mission to improve financial literacy in the region.
Events planner 42 Work: The UAE will be abuzz with high-profile events
over the next two months, as conference season gets into full swing. Here are ten of the biggest, spanning business, finance and politics.
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PLAY Feel Like The One & Only 44 Travel: at Dubai's Royal Mirage
This luxury resort holds one of the emirate’s prime locations on Jumeirah Beach gazing out on the Palm Jumeirah.
Bentley Mulsanne 49 Motoring: Imagine you were the captain of the Titantic,
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grand, majestic, luxurious, but you had the added advantage that your vessel could turn on a six-pence and accelerate like a thorough-bred racehorse, would you take that job?
52 Top Five Properties For Sale 54 Top Five Properties For Rent 56 Five-stars Hotels in Oman 60 Fashion for Her and Him Events planner 61 Play: From ancient boy bands to a retelling of the One
Thousand and One Nights, the UAE is set to host an eclectic mix of entertainment events over the next two months, with something for all the family. Here is Benchmark’s guide to ten of the best.
Eat to boost your brain power 66 Health: Want to get ahead of the pack? Make sure to supercharge your diet with these five brain superfoods.
J u l y 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t